Pro Tip 8: Use Direct Links to Assignments
Did you know you can get a direct link to a specific assignment? This makes it so easy to refer students back to a particular activity. Just go to the Classwork page, locate the assignment, click on the 3 dots to the right of the assignment and copy the link. Add it to an agenda or send it in an email, a chat or another form of communication!

From Shakeup Learning

Pro Tip 9: Start Everything From Classroom
Make Classroom the central hub for everything you do, even activities that aren’t digital! Having one place where students can always count on for directions and information makes navigating academic life a lot easier.

From Ditch that Textbook

Pro Tip 10: Break Projects Into Small Assignments
Project-based learning is so important, and as we try to move past the static, one-and-done assignments, we have to think differently about how we implement in our classrooms.
Big projects can be overwhelming for students, especially those who haven’t learned how to manage their time. It’s important to give them milestones and chunk the project into smaller assignments with checkpoints. In fact, that’s one of the implementation tips from the book, Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning From Static to Dynamic.

From Shakeup Learning

Pro Tip 11: Use Private Comments For Reflection
Some teachers take the private comments feature a step further and make it part of the assignment by requiring that students add a reflection as a private comment after they submit their assignment. Sean Fahey suggests using an open-ended question or give students a prompt like, “What did you like most about the assignment?” or “What part challenged you the most?” You can also pair this idea this with Screencastify and have students record their reflection via video and attach the link in the private comment box. Be sure to add this task to your directions, so they don’t forget!

From Shakeup Learning

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Pro Tip 12: Attach a Template Doc To Assignments
Attach a blank Google Doc or a template to each assignment as a copy for each student. In Google Classroom, you can view the assignment page and see a thumbnail for each student. This allows you to see progress, or lack thereof, at a glance.
Even if you do not have a template for your assignment, Michelle Baragar suggests attaching a saved blank document to use as a template so that you can still get the thumbnail view!

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From Shakeup Learning

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Pro Tip 13: Create a Parent Corner on Assignments for Littles
With remote learning in full swing, parents can use some extra guidance and help with the tasks at hand. Create a parent corner for each assignment describing any background information or support that parents might need. 

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From Google for Littles

Pro Tip 14: Use the To-Review and To-Do View to Manage your Work
Staff have a to-review section in Google Classroom to see what work has been submitted and in need of review. Students have a To-Do view where they can easily see all the work that needs completing across classes. 

From Shakeup Learning

Pro Tip 15: Manage Your Time Better with Calendar
It's important for both teachers and students to have a general idea of what's coming up so that they can best manage their time. By using the calendar view, you can see all of the assignments that are coming up for the week and for future weeks. Materials or items not associated with a date will not appear in the calendar, making it easy to see the most time-critical tasks.

Pro Tip 16: Late Work Form
Google Classroom will not email you when students turn in late work. However, you can create a Google Form for students to use to do that for you (This is one of 20 practical ways to use Google Forms in class/school from this blog post). Use this Google Form as a template to create your own. (Click here to copy it into your Google Drive). Change the text fields to suit your needs.
Click the “Responses” tab, and click the menu button (three dots). Select “Get email notifications for new responses”. Click “Send” and click the link button. Copy the link.Then go to Google Classroom and add the form as a material in your class.

From Ditch that Textbook

Pro Tip 17: Create a Class Template
Once you have selected your favorite organization method for Google Classroom (and tested it!) Make a copy of the class as your template. You can continue to make a copy every time you need a new class and already have all of your topics created and organized, and your assignments will be saved as drafts!
To make a copy of a class in Google Classroom: Go to your Google Classroom home, then click on the 3 dots on the class card and select “copy.”
For detailed directions and more tips on this idea, visit How to Create a Class Template in Google Classroom.

From Shakeup Learning

Pro Tip 18: Adjust your Notifications
Too many emails? Not enough emails? You can adjust your notifications by clicking on the settings (3 bars) on the homepage, clicking on the settings cogwheel, and then toggling on or off the classes for which you want to change settings.