Google Classroom Pro Tips & Tricks

Pro Tip 20: Plan Ahead and Schedule Work Did you know you can work ahead as a teacher in Google Classroom and set assignments to appear for students at a specific date and time? When assigning, click the arrow next to the assign button and select the schedule option. Pick the day and time you'd like for the assignment to become available to students.

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Pro Tip 4: Use Ctrl + f Use the keyboard shortcut, Control + F (Command + F on a mac), to search for keywords or assignment numbers (as mentioned above) on the page. Teach students this trick, too!

<a href="https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/15-google-classroom-tips-for-teachers/">From Shakeup Learning</a>

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, <a href="https://amzn.to/2SRT2NH">Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning From Static to Dynamic</a>.

Pro Tip 23: Find Assigned Comments in Drive

🎬<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xEsN7j15UhlmJig3WpCRqMYiPPGq0gmm/view">video tutorial</a> (0:49)

Pro Tip 7: Make it Visual with Emojis Let’s say your items in the Google Classroom classwork page have different characteristics …some may have videos, some may be written activities, some may be from different academic subjects, some may have different styles (poetry vs. short story vs. novel), some may just be fun or funny things you want to share with students. For any of those characteristics, assign an emoji in the name for that characteristic. <a href="https://emojikeyboard.io/">Emoji Keyboard</a>

<a href="https://ditchthattextbook.com/3-easy-strategies-to-organize-your-google-classroom//">From Ditch that Textbook</a>

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 <a href="https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/how-to-create-a-class-template-in-google-classroom/">How to Create a Class Template in Google Classroom</a>.

<a href="https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/15-google-classroom-tips-for-teachers/">From Shakeup Learning</a>

Pro Tip 1: Record your mini lessons &amp; flip learning Record mini direct instruction lessons using Screencastify. Post them with a Question or Quiz assignment to check for understanding. <a href="https://teamjeffco.jeffcopublicschools.org/technology/applications/ed_tech_tool_overviews_/screencastify_overview">Jeffco Ed Tech Screencastify Website</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2ieATZ5fwk&amp;list=PLWiK3d92Xr1R9bfO6icsgsdnl2CsLKlDT">Jeffco Ed Tech Screencastify Video Tutorials</a>

Screencastify Overview

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

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!

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!

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 <a href="https://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/09/08/20-practical-ways-to-use-google-forms-in-class-school/">(This is one of 20 practical ways to use Google Forms in class/school from this blog post)</a>. 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.

<a href="https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-google-classroom-time-savers-for-teachers//">From Ditch that Textbook</a>

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.

Tip 1 <a href="bookcreator://page/E3bI1gh-SWG19irFC5o-Bg">Record Your Mini Lesson</a> Tip 2 <a href="bookcreator://page/cstZJXM4RmiE5I663QmWbQ">Give Feedback With Screencastify</a> Tip 3 <a href="bookcreator://page/dZK209_gQ_mDa-eHsl3hbA">Number Your Assignments</a> Tip 4 <a href="bookcreator://page/49nWKnbKQMmckhMRRIy3xg">Use Ctrl + f</a> Tip 5 <a href="bookcreator://page/pnWnw0cyTR29HVZssco9dQ">Organize Your Topics</a> Tip 6 <a href="bookcreator://page/VZxzvFMXRl-1xa5YhjdB_Q">Create a Class Resources Topic</a> Tip 7 <a href="bookcreator://page/dZK209_gQ_mDa-eHsl3hbA">Make it Visual With Emojis </a> Tip 8 <a href="bookcreator://page/Zr4m66zdRo6VnBS-a-4UfQ">Use Direct Links to Assignments</a> Tip 9 <a href="bookcreator://page/ELSHXT8aRH-azJCNrhnX7Q">Start Everything From Classroom</a> Tip 10 <a href="bookcreator://page/8RalnbETTjO3nOlOKFQsdA">Break Projects Into Assignments</a> Tip 11 <a href="bookcreator://page/HIskhf7oQZOq5qD0G4niSQ">Private Comments For Reflection</a> Tip 12 <a href="bookcreator://page/FFOA6pY3T625u4N0DQjrUw">Attach a Template Doc To Assignments</a>

Table of Contents Continued

Tip 13: <a href="bookcreator://page/p-kv_393TFGEjDj0lvjliw">Parent Corner for Littles</a> Tip 14: <a href="bookcreator://page/YquLEuikT3WSDG2t6DyZXA">Use To-Review and To-Do View</a> Tip 15: <a href="bookcreator://page/aMFsF-CYT0-VXjol53yaTw">Manage Your Time Better</a> Tip 16: <a href="bookcreator://page/KHr5XGiURp-_3kcCHAAaWg">Late Work Form</a> Tip 17: <a href="bookcreator://page/Bzz8zIg-QqWpFKmQcNIONg">Create a Class Template</a> Tip 18: <a href="bookcreator://page/KWYJUIyORrKrEzbJ51-hUA">Adjust your Notifications</a> Tip 19: <a href="bookcreator://page/w0E55sVBTXGrG0eXoDtc6w">Adjust your Stream Settings</a> Tip 20: <a href="bookcreator://page/-V1yP-KJQ5OPmeeXpOAKgw">Plan Ahead and Schedule Work</a> Tip 21: <a href="bookcreator://page/z5TF0cOoTCmkQUdmczzCnA">Check for Plagiarism</a> Tip 22: <a href="bookcreator://page/WolBT3EpRHaRGRk0ispwEw">Assign/Tag Comments </a> Tip 23: <a href="bookcreator://page/8lUAaweGSuqwLm-0sQUeWg">Find Assigned Comments in Drive</a> Tip 24: <a href="bookcreator://page/kZ00FJd9ThS-gQtcizJhxA">Create and Access a Comment Bank</a>

Pro Tip 6: Create a Class Resources Topic Every class needs a place to store resources, links, class rules, syllabus, etc. Create a special topic for resources and class materials and keep it near the top for easy access. Be sure to name these files clearly so that students know exactly what is there.

Pro Tip 22: Assign/Tag Comments to Students

📬Teachers can “Assign” a comment to student in a Doc with @student (names will auto-populate)

📬Student will receive a notification or find in Drive

🎬<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JGaECyYR7XG99vYXoidl9wOT0ujwJ3Ym/view">video tutorial</a> (0:56)

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.&nbsp;

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!

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 2: Use Screencastify to leave students video feedback Just get the shareable Google Drive link to your Screencastify video and drop it in the assignment message or if it is a common bit of feedback, add it to the comment bank of an assignment!&nbsp;

Pro Tip 3: Number your assignments It helps you organize files not only in Classroom but also keep Google Drive neat and tidy.

Welcome to Google Classroom Pro Tips and Tricks! We are compiling lots of phenomenal tips to hack your Classroom and make it more functional and more organized. If you have an awesome tip to share, email Lisa.Maas@jeffco.k12.co.us to get it added to the book!

Pro Tip 24: Create and Access a Comment Bank

*From the grading tool, click on the comment bank icon. *Click Add to comment bank and create comment *Click Add *To access your banked comments, type # before adding a comment to student work (your banked comments will appear) *Copy &amp; edit as needed

How to Use the Comment Bank in Google Classroom + Fancy Feedback Tips & Tricks 💎 | TUTORIAL

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.&nbsp;

<a href="https://christinepinto.com/gafe-login/">From Google for Littles</a>

Pro Tip 5: Pick an Organizational Strategy for Topics Using the topics feature on the classwork page helps organize assignments for students and teachers. There are several different ways to organize. You might organize by week, unit, topic, or file type. You an also organize more deeply by subtopic. For ideas, check out this post on <a href="https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/how-to-organize-assignments-in-google-classroom/">How to Organize Assignments in Google Classroom</a>.

Green zig-zag pattern

Pro Tip 19: Adjust your Stream Settings You can use the Stream in Google Classroom for a variety of things. Turn off classwork in the stream to create an streamlined conversation platform for teachers and students. OR, turn off students ability to comment to create a location for teachers to share important updates and information. To make adjustments to a particular class, head to your Google Classroom and click on the gear in the top right-hand corner. In the General settings section you can turn on or off classwork appearing in the stream and change permissions for students to post in the stream.

Pro Tip 21: Check for Plagiarism with Originality Reports With Jeffco's new Google Enterprise accounts, you and your students can now perform plagiarism checks. Teachers can enable originality reports for an unlimited number of assignments. When this is turned on, students can self-check each assignment for plagiarism 3 times prior to submitting. This allows students to turn in their best work and avoid intentional and unintentional plagiarism.

How to use originality reports

Name

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