Explore the features of Google Classroom with this easy online course!
STOP shuffling papers and START connecting with your students. Google Classroom is THE tool that you need to focus on what matters in your classroom: your students.
The Classroom Kickstart virtual course is for teachers, school administrators, and tech coaches, who want to master Google Classroom and design engaging digital lessons.
Are you…
- Spending too much time tracking assignment submissions and late work?
- Printing out student work because you struggle to grade electronically?
- Struggling to organize your course resources?
- Wondering how your elementary students will navigate Google Classroom?
- Overwhelmed by the emails, notifications, and shared documents?
- Constantly copy / pasting information from one place to another?
- Having a difficultying keeping accurate records on student behavior and IEP implementation?
- Frustrated by some of the “missing” elements of Google Classroom?
- Looking for ADVANCED strategies for teaching with Google Classroom?
…Classroom Kickstart will help you solve these issues!
During the Classroom Kickstart virtual course you will:
- Explore all of the NEW features of Google Classroom like practice sets and add-ons.
- Cut down on paper, manual grading, and time-consuming classroom procedures.
- Support your students by proving personal, timely feedback.
- Learn advanced grading strategies (rubrics, annotation, voice comments, and more!)
- Explore add-ons and extensions that will enhance Google Classroom.
- Learn how to combine Google Classroom and Google Meet for virtual learning.
- Optimize Classroom for elementary students.
- Design engaging lessons that are designed for Classroom.
- Use Google Classroom or individual and small group assignments.
- Teach math with Google Classroom.
- Establish clear routines and expectations for using Google Classroom.
- Communicate with parents through Google Classroom.
STOP shuffling papers and START connecting with your students. Google Classroom is THE tool that you need to focus on what matters in your classroom: your students.
The Classroom Kickstart virtual course is for everyone: beginners AND long-time classroom users; all grade levels and subject areas.
I will personally work with you throughout the course and will answer questions and provide personal feedback on a weekly basis. My goal for this course is to help you SAVE TIME so that you can connect with your students.
Note: this course is open to everyone, regardless of prior experience with Google Classroom. The course will cover the basics AND advanced tips to help you get MORE out of Google Classroom. Elementary, middle school, and high school teachers will find this course helpful. Not sure? Send me an email and I will help you decide if this course is a good fit for you!

Course Summary
- Start Date: Today (instant access)
- End Date: 5 weeks (suggested)
- Course Access: Google Classroom
- 5 hours of continuing education credit
- Skill: beginner AND advanced topics
- Cost: $99
- Includes 3 LIVE bonus sessions (optional)
- Register by CC or Purchase order
Hey friends! John Sowash here….I will be personally facilitating this course. You can ask me questions through Google Classroom and even join me LIVE during one of the three bonus sessions. I love working with teachers and sharing the lessons I learned by using these tools in my classroom! I hope you’ll consider joining me!
Course Outline
Module 1: Set it and forget it! How to set up your course the RIGHT way
It’s easy to get started with Google Classroom. During module 1 you will learn incredibly simple strategies to make your courses student AND teacher-friendly. Even if you have used Classroom for years, you will be blown away by these tips which will make Classroom even better!
Note: this module has been updated to provide suggestions for using Google classroom in a virtual or blended teaching environment.
Module 1 Topics:
- Setting up your classes (special recommendations for elementary teachers)
- Essential classroom settings
- How to set up and use the Google Classroom gradebook
- Three resources that should be in every classroom
- Special topics: co-teachers, substitutes, Classroom for coaches, Classroom for PD, and more!
Optional project: Setup your classes for the upcoming school year
Module 2: The Classroom Toolbox
Each feature and element of Google Classroom has a purpose. Think of these elements like tools in a toolbox. Your role as the teacher is to pick the right tool to accomplish your learning task.
Module 2 topics:
- Posting to Classroom: announcements, questions, assignments
- Advanced assignment tools: Draft, schedule, reuse, and repost
- Creative ways to use discussion assignments.
- Assign, submit, return (managing student work)
- Deep dive into strategies for grading all kinds of student work
- Special situations: weekly assignments, “blank” assignments, make-up work
Optional project: create an advanced assessment
Module 3: Google Classroom for Students
To be successful in your class this year, your students need to understand how to use technology effectively. During this module, we will look at teaching procedures and skills that will help students succeed all year long.
Taking the time to explain the features of Google Classroom, and your expectations for using Classroom, will put you and your students on the path for a successful school year!
Module 3 topics:
- The first day – how to start with success (awesome first-day activities)
- The Google Classroom quiz!
- Mastering the log-in process (super important for K-3 students)
- Essential tech skills for students (teacher checklist)
- Using Google Classroom with iPads & mobile devices
Optional project: design 2-3 activities to start the school year.
Module 4: Classroom tips and tricks for POWER users
My goal for this unit is to surprise and WOW you with some neat tricks, hacks, and strategies for squeezing even more value out of Google Classroom. It’s time to get into the good stuff!
If you are teaching virtually, we’ll also discuss using Google Meet inside of Classroom to connect with remote students.
Module 4 topics:
- NEW: Creating “practice sets”
- NEW: Working with Classroom add-ons
- Five tools to make classroom even better
- Setting up group projects in Google Classroom
- Enabling guardian summaries
- Hacking assignments
- Advanced grading strategies
- Understanding how Google Drive and Classroom work together.
- BONUS: How to teach remotely using Google Meet
Optional project: implement 1 advanced strategy into your classroom
Module 5: Design awesome classroom assignments
Google Classroom is only as good as the lessons that you put inside of it. To wrap up the course you’ll explore five different lesson ideas that work brilliantly with Google Classroom. For each one, you will get templates that you can use immediately.
Module 5 topics:
- Visual thinking with Google Drawing
- Getting started with Hyperdocs
- NEW: dynamic discussions with Google Arts & Culture (add-on)
- Mini research projects with Google Slides.
- Essays the easy way
- NEW: Math mastery with practice sets
- Video story problems
Optional project: Copy and use one of these lesson ideas in your classroom

In addition to the self-paced course content listed above, you will also be invited to join John Sowash for three LIVE virtual sessions that will further explore teaching with Google Classroom.
September 6, 2022
Classroom setup tips for the 2022-23 school year
September 13, 2022
Getting started with practice sets
September 20, 2022
Getting started with Google Classroom add-ons
All three LIVE sessions will take place from 4-5:30 PM EST via Google Meet. These sessions are optional and will be recorded for on-demand viewing.
Kind words from past participants
“Best course ever! I have panicked about where to begin in developing an online course. Now I have a plan and a starting point. I know where to go for remediation and memory refreshing!” Wanda Jackson, Ripley, MS
“I like this course as it was easy to follow the directions and simple and to the point!” Jee Taylor
“SUCH A GREAT COURSE. I completely enjoyed this training. As someone who is relatively tech-savvy, I was anticipating much more *boring* *review* *very basic* information, but this was not the case.” Kristin Stoops, Northville, MI
“As an experienced Google Classroom user, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learned while taking this course, including ways to differentiate assignments with accommodations.” Sarah Cole, Dexter, MI
“I found this course helpful and inspiring. I have been using Classroom for years, but I’ve never really loved it. This course has revitalized my interest. The set-up of the course itself models ideas and examples. I would highly recommend this to other teachers.” Abby Ruehlmann, Ann Arbor, MI
“Definitely the best course ever for Google Classroom. I recommend it to all teachers.” Barbara Blier, Van Buren, ME
“I am new to Google Classroom, so I spent a lot of time on this course listening to all the videos and viewing the extra resources. I’m glad I can revisit the resources whenever I need to.” Heidi Mann
“In the short amount of time we had with this course, it was one of the most efficient, well-organized courses I have ever taken online. John is a great communicator!” – Mike Dallavalle, Teacher
You might be wondering…
Can I earn continuing education credits?
Probably! Classroom Kickstart qualifies for continuing education credits in many states. Check with your district to verify their requirements.
Michigan teachers: this course has been approved for 5 SCECH credits. Your PIC number will be collected at the start of the course.
Is this just another lousy online course?
I certainly hope not! I have worked hard to make this course practical and actionable. This is NOT an automated course. I will be participating in the course throughout the week; answering questions and personally working with the entire group. You can look at the testimonial section (above) to hear what others are saying.
I can’t take the course right now. Will it be offered again?
Probably. If you would like to be notified about future courses, click here.
How long will I have access to the course?
Forever! The course will remain accessible indefinitely, although after the end-date I will no longer be active in the course.
Can I pay by purchase order?
Sure! Visit the registration page and look for the PO option. Your school will receive an invoice for your course registration. A PO number is required before you can join the course.
Why are you charging $99?
Creating a quality online course requires a tremendous amount of time and preparation. I feel the price is reflective of the value that I am able to provide.
How much work is required?
You can expect ~60 minutes of content during each module. All assignments are optional; if it doesn’t fit your teaching style or classroom set up, skip it!
What equipment / tools will I need?
All of the tools mentioned in this course are web-based and will work on any Mac, PC, or Chromebook running the Chrome browser.
What if I have questions or get stuck?
If you have any issues or concerns, you can connect directly with me by leaving a comment in Google Classroom. I respond to all comments within 24 hours.
I’m not a “techie” person. Is this course for me?
Sure! If you are eager to learn, I am excited to work with you! Google Classroom is easy to use and I will be with you the entire time!
Do I have to do the activities?
Only if you want to! I hope that you will implement the ideas from the course into your classroom, but how and when you do so is up to you.
Are the tools mentioned in the course all free?
90% of everything I recommend in the course is either free or “freemium.” Some of the new features of Google Classroom require the “Education Plus” or “Teaching & Learning” editions of Google Workspace for Education.