Google Classroom VS. Calendar: Clearing Up the CLUTTER!

Last year, our district went One-to-One and purchased Chromebooks for all middle school students. Agendas weren’t needed anymore since the students had the technology and Google Classroom, which we were using, had a feature to integrate assignments to Google Calendar. Great! Right?Not if you use Classroom like I do! Here’s what I’ve found with the Google Classroom Calendar: * Classwork assignments look like homework assignments so labeling is critical * Tests or quizzes can’t be posted on the Calendar unless you make them an assignment – which means posting them in advance? * The calendar itself gets overwhelming, especially if you’re like me and have 3-4 documents per day (90 minute blocks!)

This is a snapshot of ONE WEEK of assignments in Classroom. This seems overwhelming, even though it’s all classwork!

This is how one month of my Google Classroom looks in my calendar.

Here’s how I’ve remedied the situation: I created a Google Calendar for my classes, in addition to the one for Google Classroom. Yes, it takes an extra step to set this up, but I found that last year this was a game changer. Step One: Turn OFF Google Classroom calendar in Google Calendar
Have the students complete this task!

Step Two: Create a NEW Calendar for your classes.This one will be used for YOU to post homework, test, quiz, and project dates

Step Three: Set up calendarI set mine to PUBLIC so parents can access as well!

Be sure to CREATE calendar at bottom of screen!

Step Four: Share with students and parents!

You need to send the URL to parents and students!

Step Five: Have students register to the calendar!

Use the following video the help students enroll in your new calendar!

From here, you can post assignments to the calendar without using Google Classroom! Parents have access to the calendar, kids calendar’s are no longer filled with assignments, and you can post due dates for things not done through Classroom!

Hope this helps you in your journey with Google Classroom!