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The Coronavirus Pandemic has forced a lot of us to rethink and re-evaluate how we do everything—from work to church to even socializing. The online world, which was booming even before the pandemic is now exploding as people find new ways to connect via technological tools such as Zoom, Social Media, and G-Suite. While we homeschoolers have historically had more flexibility in how we learn, which easily lends itself to online technology, we too are having to go virtual for things we may have traditionally met in person for via co-ops or get-togethers with friends.

 

Google Classroom, was traditionally developed as a resource for public schools, however in 2014, Google opened the use of Google Classroom to the public. Now, more than ever, Google Classroom is an available resource that can really provide value to the homeschooling community—especially in terms of homeschool groups.  If you’re not familiar with Google Classroom, it can be defined as a virtual classroom where a homeschool parent or class leader can provide homeschoolers with a one-stop shop that allows them to view class work, videos, online materials, assignments, etc. all in one place in an organized fashion. There is also the ability to provide links to live-streamed classes where students can the teacher/class leader can interact in real time via Zoom or Google Hangouts.

Here are just a few benefits of using Google Classroom:

  • Paperless
  • Repository for Class Information that can be Re-used in the Future
  • Students Can Turn In Assignments In Google Classroom
  • Teacher Can Grade Assignments and Return Classwork to Students Within The Classroom
  • You Can Make Announcements To Everyone In The Class
  • Live-Stream Capability Via Google Hangout
  • Administer On-Line, Self-Graded Tests and Quizzes
  • A Ton of Educational Websites and Applications Can Be Saved To Your Classroom
  • Assignments Can Be Organized
  • Virtual Gradebook Within Google Classroom For Teacher’s Use
  • Has apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android
  • Syncs to Google Calendar and has assignment due date and alert function

For Middle and High School Homeschoolers:

For upper grades, Google Classroom is a wonderful tool because it helps students to be more independent and take ownership of their learning. They are able to monitor their assignments, view material, access additional study tools/apps, and turn in assignments. One of the greatest features of Google Classroom (and there are many) is the ability to go paperless. No printer ink—no problem! You can literally sit down and write comments and give grades using an Apple Pencil!

One of my favorite applications for my older kids is to use Google Classroom for Literature. Recently, we studied To Kill A Mockingbird and Google Classroom made for an interactive experience for them! I was able share a link for an audio version of the book from Youtube, upload a Free Study Guide from PBS for my girls to answer questions, link the Quizlet app for them to study additional questions, as well as upload Youtube videos that discuss the time period in which the story took place.

We met once per week to discuss the book with our local homeschool friends, however the COVID-19 happened once we were down to the last few chapters of the book. Do you think the quarantine stopped us from meeting together? Not a bit, we were able to meet via Zoom and guess what? We were able to link our online meeting to Google Classroom so that everyone was on the same page. We finished the book without a hitch! Once we finished To Kill A Mockingbird, I assigned my daughters a list of essay questions and they were able to work on their own and submit their completed essays for me to grade via Google Classroom. I was even able to add a grading rubric for the assignment.

Now that I have a classroom dedicated to our literature studies, I can archive it and use for my younger kids in the future once they get older or I can use the classroom more broadly with a co-op group or other homeschool families we interact with that are interested in joining us!

Some of the websites for older kids that link to Google Classroom and we enjoy are:

For Elementary Homeschoolers

Google Classroom can also serve as a supplemental tool for elementary-aged students as well. There are a number of online applications that link to Google Classroom and allows younger students utilize them. I may have to guide my younger kids in using Google Classroom, but it is really an excellent way to target specific topics within a subject, help them learn how to navigate technology, and give them a more interactive learning experience.

Some of the websites for younger kids that link to Google Classroom that we enjoy are:

A New Day...

As I’ve said before, we are in a golden age of homeschooling. Gone are the days where worksheets and textbooks are the only meaningful ways for kids to learn. There are a plethora of online resources that can add value to your child’s learning and Google Classroom is a convenient, intuitive tool that helps you to maximize those resources.  How do you use Google Classroom in your homeschool?

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Kendra

Kendra is a wife and mother of 4 who is saved by grace through Jesus Christ, a lover of all things Jane Austen, and passionate about homeschooling!

2 thoughts on “Homeschooling With Google Classroom”

  1. I am a homeschooling mama of 6 kids. I have been setting up classes for my kids to use during the summer and next year, but am quickly running out of space on my Google Drive. How much space/memory do you recommend? Is there a trick I am missing?

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