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Let's face it. As teachers, your time is precious. You only have so much time with your students, and you want to maximize that time for learning.

We don't want to end up wasting valuable time searching for documents, websites, or setting up our lessons.

We need to use technology to help us save instructional time, not add to it.

A few weeks ago, I asked the Shake Up Learning Community to share their favorite teacher time-saving tips.

This group of nearly ten-thousand educators never fails to disappoint!

I highly recommend you join us so you can connect and learn from this impressive group.

And it's no surprise that these tips also happen to be very Googley!

Below you will find 10 excellent tips and tools to help you and your students save valuable classroom time.

10 Time-Saving Tips and Tools for Teachers

Tip #1: Use Keyboard Shortcuts

If you have never taken the time to learn a few keyboard shortcuts, you really should. They can save you valuable time clicking around.

Google Chrome is the browser of choice, and there are many keyboard shortcuts to help you and your students navigate the web.

Note: Mac users, substitute Cmd for Ctrl in the keyboard shortcuts below.

Here are some of my favorites:

Ctrl + T = opens a new tab

Ctrl + Shift + T = reopens the last closed tab

Ctrl + (any number 1-9) = jumps to that tab in your window.

Ctrl + F = opens a search to find words on a page

You can find a complete list of Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts here for Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks.

I have also included a list of all of the keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs in the Google Docs Cheat Sheet that you can download here.

Tip #2: Use Classroom Screen

Classroom Screen is frequently shared by many teachers as a go-to favorite.

Classroom Screen is a web-based tool that gives teachers the ability to customize the webpage with their most-needed tools.

Quickly get a timer, text area, drawing tool, name picker, work symbols and more. Completely free.

Tip #3: Use the Chrome Bookmarks Bar

Chrome makes it easy to add bookmarks to the bookmarks bar, the bar directly below your search box which is called the Omnibox.

The bookmarks bar is a great place for your most frequently used websites and applications.

If you do not see your bookmarks bar, you can show it by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + B.

Not only can you easily add bookmarks to this bar by clicking and dragging from the icon at the front of the URL, but you can also create folders right there in the bar.

To add a folder, right-click on some blank space in your bookmarks bar and select "add folder." You will then be prompted to name your folder. Tip: Keep it short and sweet!

Real estate in the bookmarks bar is very valuable, and sometimes you may want to edit the default names of your bookmarks to shorten or take it down to just an icon.

To edit a bookmark in your bar, right-click on the bookmark and select "edit." Here you can abbreviate your title, or just delete it if the icon is enough for you to identify your bookmark.

BONUS Tip: Click and drag your Google Classroom Classwork pages to the bookmarks bar for easy access!

The bar is not the only location for your bookmarks; you can also click on the star in the Omnibox to bookmark any page and save it elsewhere.

We also chatted about this tip recently on The Google Teacher Tribe, episode 77, Favorite Google Chrome Tips and Tricks.

For all of the Shake Up Learning Chrome tips and tricks, click here.

Tip #4: Use Google Keep

Google Keep is quickly becoming a favorite teacher tool!

Google Keep is an online to-do list and note manager, and it saves to your Google Drive!

I frequently refer to Google Keep as the Instantpot of G Suite because it is so versatile.

Google Keep is also a part of G Suite for Education and is a great tool for students, especially secondary students.

Here you can keep track of not only your to-do lists and notes but also use the Save to Keep Chrome extension to save bookmarks to your keep notebook.

Teachers love to organize their bookmarks in Keep and use the labels to organize sites by class or subject area.

Learn more about Google Keep by getting this FREE Google Keep Cheat Sheet.

Keep is also a great place to save your notes from staff meetings and professional development.

AND, I love saving comments and images in Google Keep to use for student feedback. You can learn more about this method in my previous post, 4 Ways to Use Google Keep for Feedback and Assessment.

Tip #5: Use Chrome Profiles to Switch Between Google Accounts

Most teachers have more than one Google account, usually a personal and a school account.

You may have even more than two accounts as I do.

Logging in and out can be a huge time drain and really annoying.

The best way to toggle between accounts is by using a feature in Google Chrome called Chrome profiles.

Watch the video below to learn how to clean up the old, messy way and set up profiles for quick success!

Be sure you subscribe to Shake Up Learning on YouTube so you can access all of the latest tutorials and playlists!

Tip #6: Learn How to Search Your Google Drive

My Google Drive is not always the most organized, but that's okay.

I can find ANYTHING using the search inside of Google Drive.

Even if I'm not sure what the file was named, who owns it, or the folder where I tucked it away, I can find it with the power of Google Drive.

Folders are great, but when you need to save valuable teacher time, just use the search!

Be sure you also click on that drop-down arrow in the search box to learn all the advanced searching fields.

I have an entire post on this to teach you all my tricks: 8 Fantastic Ways to Find Anything in Google Drive.

Tip #7: Use the Omnibox to Search Your Drive and Gmail!

Did you know that you can use the Chrome search box (aka the Omnibox) to search your Google Drive and Gmail?

Yes, you can!

This means you do not have to separately open Google Drive in order to search and open your files.

To do this, you will need to set up custom search engines in Chrome, and I promise it is super easy!

You can do this for all your favorite sites. You can even set up a custom search for ShakeUpLearning.com.

To create a custom search engine, follow the step-by-step directions in this blog post.

Tip #8: Use Chrome Extensions to Manage Your Tabs

I am a confessed tab hoarder, meaning I always have a ton of tabs open in Google Chrome.

Running too many windows and tabs can slow down your computer.

Luckily, I have strategies to help me save tabs for later so I don't use up all the memory in my computer.

My favorite, can't live without Chrome extension is Tab Cloud.

Tab Cloud allows me to quickly close all of my open tabs and saves them in a new window for me.

It also gives me an easy way to re-open all the tabs at once, open individually, or even share all the links as a webpage or QR code.

Perfect for saving a group of links for students!

So when I am in a hurry and need to close my computer, I just click on the Tab Cloud extension to save all my tabs.

Another extension that I like for saving and organizing my tabs is Toby for Chrome.

Toby allows you to create collections of tabs and organize with tags and more.

I like to use Toby to organize links for lesson plans and workshops that I deliver.

It's easy to use and drag-and-drop to organize your collections.

To see all of my favorite Chrome Apps and Extensions, explore the Chrome App and Extension Database and use the filter to find my faves.

Tip #9: Create a Google Classroom Class Template

Google Classroom has become a very robust application for teachers and students.

Google updates the platform often based on feedback from teachers.

One update that you may not have noticed is the ability to copy an entire class.

This can save you tons of time when you are setting up new classes at the beginning of the year or semester.

By creating a class template inside Google Classroom, you can easily create the ideal set up for your class, including topics and assignments, and copy these into a new class each year, each semester, and release assignments as you need.

Follow the step-by-step directions here to set-up your Class Template: How to Create a Class Template in Google Classroom.

For more Google Classroom tips and resources, visit this post: 350+ Google Classroom Tips, Tutorials, and Resources.

Tip #10: Use Voice Typing in Google Docs

Did you know that you and your students can voice type inside Google Docs?

This is a really great speech-to-text feature that can save you and your students valuable time!

To enable voice typing, go to Tools>Voice Typing and give the program permission to access your microphone.

You can dictate right into the document!

You can also dictate formatting and punctuation.

To learn more about all of the uses for voice typing, check out 7 Reasons You Need to Try Voice Typing in Google Docs.

Oh, and it works on the mobile version of Docs as well!

Teachers are always short on time, and I hope you have found some new tips in this article!

What other time-saving tips would you add? Please leave a comment below!

© Shake Up Learning 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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10 Time-Saving Tips and Tools for Teachers

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Let's face it. As teachers, your time is precious. You only have so much time with your students, and you want to maximize that time for learning. We don't want to end up wasting valuable time searching for documents, websites, or setting up our lessons.

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In this episode, Kasey takes a deep dive into 11 Google Docs features that have been released over the last year.

We will explore the best ways to use these new features in the classroom.

These 11 Google Docs Tips for Teachers and Students should not be missed!
Listen to this article.

1. Use @ to Access Shortcuts

Did you know that a whole new menu appears when you type the @ symbol in Google Docs?

It gives you shortcuts to insert all kinds of things like tagging people, adding links to files, inserting media and bullets, and much more!

2. Text or Image Watermarks

You can add text or image watermarks in your Doc.

Watermarks appear behind your text and will repeat on every page of your document.

Go to Insert > Watermark.

A sidebar will appear with options for text and images.

This is a great way to add "confidential" for confidential school materials or add your school or class logo.

3. Layer Images Over or Under Text

This has been a long-awaited feature!

You can now layer images on top of text or under the text.

Look for the options under the selected images.

4. Drop-Down Menus

You can now insert a drop-down menu. This is a great way to indicate the status of projects, writing drafts, ask questions, track PBL, and more!

Check out this post for 15+ Ways to Use Drop-Down Menus in Google Docs.

5. Auto-Generated Summaries

Google Docs can now use AI to auto-generate a summary for your document.

Use this to easily create a summary for your doc. Or, have students evaluate and revise the summary to work on summarization skills.

6. Emoji Reactions

Add emoji as reactions and feedback inside a collaborative Google Doc!

These appear as comments in the Doc.

7. PageLESS Docs

Did you know you don't have to have page breaks in Google Docs?

This is super handy for tables, choice boards, wide images, and more.

If you don't need "pages" or page breaks, go pageLESS!

8. Table Templates

With this new feature, create a new table in just a few seconds.

These templates are great for tracking projects and progress but can be customized for whatever you want!

9. Customize Tables

Google gave us some great NEW features with tables inside Google Docs!

Pin header rows

Unsplittable rows

Quickly add and arrange columns and rows

Sort tables to organize data

10. Join Google Meet from Docs, Slides, or Sheets

Did you know you can join a Google Meet meeting right inside your favorite Google apps?

In addition to the present to Meet option, you can select "Join the call" from the comfort of Docs, Slides, or Sheets.

11. Gmail Template: Draft Gmail Messages

Did you know there is an email template in Google Docs?

Oh, and with one click you can import it into Gmail and send it!

Easy Peasy, y'all!

Like these tips? Be sure to check out the Shake Up Learning YouTube Channel and subscribe!

© Shake Up Learning 2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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11 Google Docs Tips for Teachers and Students - SULS0166

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In this episode, Kasey takes a deep dive into 11 Google Docs features that have been released over the last year. We will explore the best ways to use these new features in the classroom. These 11 Google Docs Tips for Teachers and Students should not be missed!

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Google Keep is a fantastic and robust tool for teachers and students. In this blog post and podcast episode, I will share 25+ awesome ways to use Google Keep!

Find out how to use this tool for notes, labeling, annotation, speech to text, feedback, and more!

If you have never experienced the wonder that is Google Keep, go to keep.google.com to check it out.

Google Keep automatically syncs with your Google account and is a part of G Suite for Education.

Let's dig in to all the features!

And grab your FREE Bonus: The Google Keep Cheat Sheet!

Listen to the audio version of this post:

. ..

Google Keep is an online web tool for creating and saving notes, lists, reminders, and more.

Think of Google Keep like an online sticky note board, with digital versions of your sticky notes. You can add images, text, drawings, voice notes, and more.

This robust tool is underutilized!

You and your students can use Google Keep to take notes, manage projects, set goals, communicate, and collaborate in your classroom.

Get the FREE Google Keep Cheat Sheet:

Get Google Keep Everywhere

Google Keep can be used in any browser, but I highly recommend you use Google Chrome and install the Chrome App and Extension.

There are additional features that only work on mobile, so be sure that you also install the app on your mobile devices.
Google Keep for Chrome
Google Keep Basics
Google Keep on Mobile
Create a Note

Note Options

Personalize Google Keep for You and Your Students

Adding custom images to create visually driven notes can be a great use for teachers and students.

Reminders: Create a reminder by date and time or a location-based reminder.

Add Collaborators: Share your notes and lists with other individuals or groups.

Change the Note Color: Choose from a palette of other colors to brighten things up or color-code your notes.

Add an Image: Add a picture (or snap a photo on mobile) to your notes.

To learn more about this strategy, check out my previous post: Personalize Google Keep for You and Your Students.

Add a Drawing to Your Notes

To Add a Drawing: Go to the 3 dots on your note, and select "add drawing."

This allows you to sketch using the drawing tools (pen, marker, or highlighter) and add them to a note.

Choose from different sizes and colors and add your drawing to a note or an image.

You can even annotate on top of an image.

Use the Drawing Tool for Annotation & Labeling

AutoDraw is a great way to use the stylus and/or tablet to draw or take notes that can then easily be saved to Google Keep.

Keep Integration with Other G Suite Apps

1. Add the image to Keep

2. If you want to use an article or paragraph, take a screenshot and upload it.

3. Click or tap on the image to get the drawing tools.

4. Draw, label, or annotate.

5. Be sure to click DONE to save the changes.

6. If you want this shared, they can add you as a collaborator, right-click and copy the image, or convert to Google Docs.

Inside your favorite Google app, go to the sidebar and click on the Keep icon.

Google Docs Integration

Click-and-drag from the Google Keep sidebar to add notes and images to your document.
Save Text or Images as a Note

1. Open a Google Doc or Slide.

2. Highlight and right-click the text or image you want to save as a note.

3. From the menu that appears, select Save to Keep notepad.

Add a Note to a Doc or Slide
Google Slides Integration

1. Open a Google Doc or Slide.

2. Click on the Keep icon in the sidebar.

3. In the side panel, locate the note you want to add to the file.

4. Click and drag the note into your document.

Outline your presentation in Google Keep, then click and drag to add content.

Note: this works best with a blank slide!

Google Keep for Feedback & Assessment

Google Keep makes the perfect companion for teachers giving feedback and assessing student work.

4 of my favorite ways to use Google Keep for feedback:

See my previous blog post for all the details: 4 Ways to Use Google Keep for Feedback & Assessmen t.

Check out this idea for Docs Stickers from Stephanie Filardo

Convert Paper Notes to Digital!

Using the mobile app or a webcam:

Voice Notes (Mobile Only)

There are so many ways for secondary students to use Google Keep! Check out my previous blog post and infographic for details.

Snap a photo of your paper notes, sticky notes, meeting notes, sketches, etc.

Students can snap a photo of notes, problem solve, hand draw sketches, etc.

Any text found in the image is searchable in Google Keep.

BONUS: Grab image text, and the text is added to the note!

Google Keep for Student Goal Setting

Reflection/Journaling

Tap the microphone at the bottom of the screen near, "Take a note..."

Dictate your note into the app.

BONUS: Speech is translated into text and added to your note!

Google Keep works great for reflections and journaling:

Curation with the Keep Chrome Extension

Curation is an important 21st Century skill for students and teachers, and the Keep Chrome extension makes this easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Use Labels to "Keep" Keep Organized

Goal setting is one important way to empower student learners; in fact, it's in the ISTE standards!

Help students set meaningful learning goals for your classroom, AND

Help students set THEIR OWN, personal learning goals!

Start simple: Ask students, What are three things that would make today great.

Try to keep them from being "grade," focused

Please share in the comments below.

Podcast Shoutout

Thank you to Tammy Lozano on Twitter!

Teachers reflect on the lesson and assessment.

Students reflect on their own learning and progress.

Quick journals and longer journal assignments work great in Keep.

Do you have a question or idea to share on the podcast? Leave me a message here:

Podcast Question of the Week

© Shake Up Learning 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.
What do you think? What are your favorite Google Keep features? Don't forget that the Google Certification Courses CLOSE TODAY! (12/3/19)

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25+ Ways to Use Google Keep for Teachers and Students

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In this blog post and episode, Kasey will share 25+ awesome ways to use Google Keep, which she refers to as the "Instantpot of G Suite!" Find out how to use this tool for notes, labeling, annotation, speech to text, feedback, and more! And get the FREE Bonus: The Google Keep Cheat Sheet!

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I develop resources to make your life more simple!

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Parent Communication Log via Google Forms

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Parent Communication Log via Google Forms

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Yes! 15 Google Classroom Tips for Teachers!

Google Classroom is one of the most popular digital tools for the K-12 classroom.

Google Classroom has improved vastly over the years, and teachers have learned how to make the most of this flexible assignment manager and communication hub.

I asked the members of the Shake Up Learning community to share with me their favorite Google Classroom tips.

The tips shared by the community are AWESOME!

These are tips are FOR teachers and recommended BY teachers!
Listen to this article.
15 Google Classroom Tips for Teachers

1. Number your assignments!

Numbering your assignments is one of the best tips I ever received. It helps you organize files not only in Classroom but also keep Google Drive neat and tidy.

This tip is also one I recommend in the previous post, 6 Tips for Getting Started with Google Classroom.

2. Use Cntrl + F to Find Numbers and Words in Google Classroom

Even the most organized Classwork page can become quite long after a few weeks of assignments. 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!

3. Pick an Organizational Strategy for Using Topics

Using the topics feature on the classwork page helps organize assignments for students and teachers. There are several different ways to organize. There are several ways to do this and what works for one teacher doesn't work for all. This is a personal preference for teachers. Choose a strategy that works for your content area and grade level. For ideas, check out this post on How to Organize Assignments in Google Classroom.

4. Create a "Resources" Topic and Keep at the Top of the Classwork Page

Every class needs a place to store resources, links, class rules, syllabus, etc. Mindy Barron suggests you 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.

5. Create a Google Classroom 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 class."

For detailed directions and more tips on this idea, visit How to Create a Class Template in Google Classroom.

6. 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.

7. Use a Google Doc as a Syllabus (Secondary)

Many teachers use Google Docs to create a syllabus so that it is a living document that can be updated throughout the year. Add links to outside resources, daily assignments, important dates, etc. You can even put links to Google Classroom assignments (see above) to avoid the long search for students. (Thank you to Michael Stroud for sharing this!)

8. Break Projects into Smaller Assignments with Separate Due Dates

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 my book, Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning From Static to Dynamic.

9. Create a Separate Class for Enrichment and Extension Activities

In my class, finishing your assignment early didn't mean free time or games. For my students, it involved reading and enrichment activities. Consider creating a separate class inside Google Classroom for extension or enrichment activities.

You could even gamify this idea and give digital badges for accomplishing a task or challenge. For other ways to use Google Classroom, check out 20 New Ways to Use Google Classroom.

10. Use Private Comments for Meaningful Feedback and Conversations with Students

One of my favorite features of Google Classroom is the private comment feature. This little tool can help streamline communication with your students and improve the feedback loop. Feedback from teachers is one of the most important factors in student growth!

Private comments are just that-private between you and your student. (No one else can read these.)

Remember to use private comments not just at the end of the assignment, but throughout!

And this doesn't negate the power of face-to-face conversations, but it does help document so students can remember the feedback, as well as give students an opportunity to communicate who do not usually speak in front of the class.

There are a few different places where you can add private comments for students.

To add a private comment from the Student Work page:

1. From the Classwork tab, click on the assignment for which you would like to give feedback.

2. Click on "View Assignment."

3. Select the Student from the roster on the left.

4. Toward the bottom of the right-hand panel, you will see "Add Private Comment."

5. Click to type and add your private comment for your student.

You can also now add private comments using the new grading feature in Google Classroom from inside the student's document.

To add a private comment using the Grading Tool:

1. From the Classwork tab, click on the assignment for which you would like to give feedback.

2. Click on "View Assignment."

3. Click on the student's file that you would like to give feedback.

4. Use the right-hand panel to post a private comment.

Related: 4 Ways to Give Meaningful Feedback in Google Classroom

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?"

Be sure to add this to your directions, so they don't forget!

Related: Google Classroom Comments: All You Need to Know!

12. Attach a Template Document for Each Assignment.

This tip comes to us from Michelle Baragar. She attaches 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 black document to use as a template so that you can still get the thumbnail view!

13. Invite Teachers that are Hesitant to Use Google Classroom to Be a Student or Co-Teacher in Your Class.

Not every teacher is on board with Google Classroom. If you work with a teacher who is hesitant or maybe a little technophobic, invite them to join your class as a student or a co-teacher.

I suggest inviting them as a student at first, so they get an idea of how it works before giving them the ability to add and edit your class as a co-teacher. Co-teachers can do everything you can do in a class.

1. Go to the class where you want to add them,

2. Then click on the People tab at the top of the page.

3. To invite as a co-teacher, click on the invite teachers icon and type their name or email address and click Invite.

4. To invite a teacher as a student, click on the invite students icon and type their name or email address and click Invite.

14. Create a demo student account to demonstrate Google Classroom to your students.

Google Classroom doesn't currently offer teachers a way to view their classes as a student. (I wish it did!)
To invite teachers:
So to see your class as a student, you must have a student's account. A workaround, suggested by Julie Sweeney Newton, is to use a demo account and log in as a student so you can see how the student side works and to demonstrate how to use Classroom for your students.

This one may be a little tough to do depending on your school.

If you have access to create Google accounts in your school's domain, this is easy. Most teachers do not have this kind of access.

In that case, reach out to your tech coach or tech support to see if it's possible to get a demo account.

15. Package your Digital Assignments

This tip is a collection of tips to improve how your instructions and package everything students will need into your Google Classroom assignments.

These tips come from a previous post and infographic, How to Package Your Digital Assignments.

Visit the link above to get all the details of each tip!

These are tips that will save you time and save your sanity!

The more information you provide in the assignment, the fewer questions you have to address, and the fewer excuses students have for not having the assignment completed and on time.

What are your favorite Google Classroom Tips? Please share in the comments below.

Learn all about the new updates to Google Classroom and take your skills to the next level. This course will give you everything you need to get started using Google Classroom and best practices to help you make the most of this tool.

Perfect for beginner to intermediate skill levels! Consider this your video guide to Google Classroom!

Learn All About the Course

Who Should Join the Google Classroom Master Class?

Beginners can learn everything they need to get started.

Intermediate level users can focus on learning more advanced features, tips and tricks, and best practices.

Go at your own pace.
Click here to learn more and to ENROLL TODAY!
Let's dig in! This class is for all skill levels!

What's Included in the Google Classroom Master Class?

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Purchase orders are accepted

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Get your whole team, campus, or district on board

© Shake Up Learning 2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.
Click here to learn more and to ENROLL TODAY!

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I asked the members of the Shake Up Learning community to share with me their favorite Google Classroom tips. The tips shared by the community are AWESOME! These are tips are FOR teachers and BY teachers! Here are 15 Google Classroom Tips for Teachers!

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Fun ice breaker activities.
Pig Personality Test
penguin Personality Test

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Typically, this day has a lot of special things that need to happen. Lockers, handing out lunch cards, going over the school rules and safety -- you get the idea. As counterintuitive as it may seem, I usually plan this day last, as things tend to change at the last minute. At my school, we run a skinny schedule, with extra time in homeroom and abbreviated content classes.

My go-to for this day is my activity. I like this because it takes as long as I need it to and doesn't suffer from being cut short. When time is brief, I give one puzzle to each group, let them get to work, then save time at the end to reveal the answers with a great flourish. If I end up with more time, I can put all the ciphers in a mysterious manila envelope, whip up a quick answer sheet, and let the groups of students go to work.

At my school, this is usually the first full class period. I start by getting kids into their assigned seats and listening to them complain for the rest of the hour. I tell them that they must sit in these seats for this period, but if they have any problems, they can talk to me after class. What they don't know is that they won't be sitting in those seats for very long.

Have you ever been in a classroom with a runny nose and only then you realize you have no idea where the tissues are? Or the lost and found? Or the bathroom passes? I can't recommend a Classroom Scavenger Hunt quite enough. Students are up and moving, trying things out in your classroom, and making note of the important safety features of this 1950s era chemistry classroom (in my case). I give time for most students to complete their work, then I review the worksheet and give the required-by-law science safety talk. If there's any time left at the end of class, we play a quick game like or .

This gives me an opportunity to observe my students in productive struggle. I can see social dynamics, who is going to be a slow starter, who is a leader or helps others, and who going to need a pep talk about trusting themselves later in the year. I really like doing a free-movement activity after I make a seating chart so I can see who needs to be moved away from whom.

We start with our new and improved seating chart and then get down to group work. Yes, you guessed it. It's day! This activity requires a little bit of prep, but if you laminate everything, you can use it year after year. I printed each table's set of words on different color of cardstock, and I don't regret it. When I find a random word on the ground, I can easily figure out which table it came from, because all my tables are also colored coded. 🤪

We start out the class period by discussing the benefits and drawbacks to working in a group. Then, we make a group work Y-chart (Looks like, Feels like, Sounds like) together as a class. I pass out the envelopes and away we go! Near the end of class we share out our sentences, discuss as a class, clean up, and reflect on how it felt to be working in a group today.

Usually by today, kids are over the back-to-school excitement. Exhaustion is kicking in. Kids are ready to do something REAL. I start introducing some soft content, as well as other rituals and routines for my classroom. One activity that I really like doing at this point is the . I can introduce the scientific skill of observation, as well as the , and clean up directions and expectations.

I start class the first Friday of the school year with this Student Information Form. After this, we typically talk a little bit about assumptions, which leads us into another nature of science activity called. The purpose of the activity is to help students separate facts, which come from observation, and conclusions, which are inferences based on observations.

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Welcome! You found me! This is where I link all the resources that I have created or found for free online. If you're coming to me from TikTok, hello! If you're not following me on TikTok, search for @sabocat for great tips, funny videos, and real talk.

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Teacher Tip: DIY Google Classroom Banners #teacher #backtoschool #teachersoftiktok #teachertip

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Save where you left off in the middle of presentation

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Last Years Slide Deck

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Great resource for free!

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Shake Up Learning in your classroom today!

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Google has great resources on their website for Google help

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Technology is transforming teaching and learning. It's helping kids learn at their own pace, become creative problem solvers, and effective collaborators. But for those without access, existing learning gaps are only widening. That's why we'll continue directing our products, people, programs, and philanthropy toward a future where every student has access to the quality education they deserve.

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Solutions built for teachers and students | Google for Education

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Technology is transforming teaching and learning. It's helping kids learn at their own pace, become creative problem solvers, and effective collaborators. But for those without access, existing learning gaps are only widening. That's why we'll continue directing our products, people, programs, and philanthropy toward a future where every student has access to the quality education they deserve.