5 Google Classroom Tricks for Math Teachers

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With the pandemic's shift to distance and hybrid learning, Google Classroom has become one of the key spaces where we teach our students, and I still rely on it even now that my students are fully back in-person.

I wanted to share 5 of my favorite Google Classroom tricks that I use in my math class to save time, differentiate more effectively, and make math more interactive and engaging.

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1. Make sure every student has their own copy of the math worksheet

It's pretty common to distribute a math worksheet as a Google Doc, and ask your students to respond in a copy of the document. But what happens if a student accidentally edits the original document? Or what if a student gets off task while they're going through the steps to make a copy.

The solution? Use a force-copy link!

Google Docs has a feature that lets you send a link to students that automatically helps students make a copy. When students open it, they see a screen like this:

The process to make a force-copy link takes a few steps, but will make class so much smoother.

  1. Make sure students are added as Viewer. On your Google Doc, click "Share". Add your students to the doc, and add them with Viewer permission.

  2. Copy the sharing URL. Then on that same "Share" dialog, tap the "Copy link" button in the lower right corner.

  3. Edit the URL slightly. Normally, you'd paste this link to your students. Instead of pasting verbatim, edit the very end of the URL. Replace "/edit?usp=sharing" with "/copy".

When you paste this edited URL in your browser, you should see the "Copy document" screen. Send this special URL to your students!

2. Give instant feedback with self-scoring Google Forms quizzes

With Google Forms, you can give your class a quiz and let them check their answers on their own time. You'll also have access to the results so you can see how everyone is doing.

Are Google Forms quizzes still useful in-person learning?

This is incredibly helpful for distance learning, but is a game changer for hybrid and in-person learning as well. For example, you can have the Google Form check answers for student work instantly — and then you can group students based on ability level to receive differentiated instruction on the fly.

How do I create a Google Forms quiz for my class?

Here's a video explaining how it works:

Google also has a helpful tutorial about quiz setup.

4. Add math formulas and symbols to math activities

One of the most common things you'll need when creating activities in Google Classroom is adding math formulas and symbols, just like your print activities. They're pretty easy to add, but you'll need a slightly different approach for Google Docs compared to Google Forms.

How do I add math formulas and symbols to Google Docs?

Google Docs has a built in tool for adding math formulas. Just use Insert -> Equation. This will open up a toolbar that lets you edit the math formula in more detail, and add special symbols.

How do I add math formulas and symbols to Google Forms?

With Google Forms, it's a bit more complicated. You'll need to generate an image of the equation before you can insert it into your Google Form.

Here's a few options that you might want to consider:

  • CodeCogs. It's a free website that lets you use a system called LaTeX to generate equation images. Totally free, but it can be a daunting.

  • EquatIO. It's a Google Chrome extension that can generate images of equations, perfect for a Google Form. It's free for teachers.

Once you've generated an image of your formula, you can insert it as an image into the form.

3. Understand student performance with Flubaroo

If you’re looking for more powerful grading tools for Google Forms, try Flubaroo. It helps you grade multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank results. Plus it gives you statistical breakdowns of results in a Google Sheet, and email results to students.

Here's a video explaining how it works:

You can email your school's IT department to add Flubaroo as an addon to Google Classroom.

5. Save time with pre-made Google Sheets activities

Google Sheets and Google Forms activities can be a game changer for student engagement and differentiation. They let you provide students instant feedback to on how they're doing with auto-grading, and get a birds-eye view of how your class is performing.

Get creative with Google Sheets Pixel Art

Google Sheets Pixel Art is one of my favorite ways to engage artsy students in math.

Students solve a series of math problems, and get instant feedback along the way. Each correct answer unlocks a portion of a mystery picture. It's easy to see from a distance how students are progressing through the activity. And they're straightforward for students to work with independently — making them great for sub lessons or for days you're looking to differentiate.

Here's a few of my favorites:

Ratios and Unit Rates Digital Pixel Art | Equivalent Ratios Table | Unit Pricing

Ratios and Unit Rates Digital Pixel Art | Equivalent Ratios Table | Unit Pricing

$5.99

Students practice ratios and unit rates, including using equivalent ratios to find missing values in ratio tables, solving ratio and rates word problems, and calculating unit rates with whole number and decimal solutions with this Ratio and Unit Rates Pixel Art Digital Bundle. Contains 2 products with 4 pixel art Google Sheets in total. Images are fall themed, perfect for back to school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and more. It's great for sub plans, review lessons, extra credit, extensions, and independent practice!

Buy on TPT →
6th Grade Math Fall Themed Digital Pixel Art Bundle | Google Sheets

6th Grade Math Fall Themed Digital Pixel Art Bundle | Google Sheets

$29.99

Students practice a wide variety of 6th grade math topics including fractions, percentages, ratios, rates, expressions, equations and geometry in this 6th Grade Math Fall Digital Pixel Art Bundle. Contains 14 products with 28 pixel art Google Sheets total—all with fall and autumn themes perfect for back to school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. It's great for sub plans, review lessons, extra credit, extensions, and independent practice!

These self-checking Google Sheets give students instant feedback, each answer unlocking parts of a mystery picture. Incorrect answers are highlighted in red, and correct answers turn green. It's coded to prevent students from finding answers in conditional formatting. They’re easy to assign, keep students engaged, and free up your time for differentiation.

Buy on TPT →
Pythagorean Theorem Pixel Art | Distance Formula | Google Sheets | Hypotenuse

Pythagorean Theorem Pixel Art | Distance Formula | Google Sheets | Hypotenuse

$5.99

Students practice using the Pythagorean theorem to find lengths of the hypotenuse and legs in a right triangle, as well as using the distance formula to find the distance between two points with this Pythagorean Theorem Digital Pixel Art Bundle. Contains 2 products with 4 pixel art Google Sheets total. Images are fall themed, perfect for back to school, Halloween, Thanksgiving and more. It's great for sub plans, review lessons, extra credit, extensions, and independent practice!

Buy on TPT →

Check out more in my Google Sheets Pixel Art section.

Try auto-grading Google Forms

Do your kids love simulation games? I've developed Google Forms activities just for you.

In Hotel Math, students practice fractions, decimals, and percents by booking hotel rooms, leasing restaurant spaces, and improving employee satisfaction. You can use it individually, but the questions make for lively discussion in groups as well.

Fractions, Decimals, Percents Real-Life Math Project

Fractions, Decimals, Percents Real-Life Math Project

$3.99

Looking for a real world application of percents, decimals, and fractions? Do your students love simulation games? This activity has students play the role of a hotel manager, and use their math skills to book hotel rooms, lease restaurant spaces and improve employee satisfaction. Three formats are available in PDF, Google Form, EASEL.

Buy on TPT →

In Hiking Math, students practice slope and rate of change by analyzing the elevation change over a hike, sorting travelers into different groups based on hiking speed, and by analyzing the elevation change over the course of a hike.

Slope and Rate of Change Real-Life Math Project | Hiking Math

Slope and Rate of Change Real-Life Math Project | Hiking Math

$3.99

Looking for a real world application of slope and rate of change? This activity has students play the role of a mountaineer, and use their math skills to map out elevation change, sort travelers based on hiking speed, and analyze a hike. Best of all, it's available in both print and digital, so you can flexibly use it in your classroom.

Buy on TPT →

Check out more in my Google Forms section.

Google Classroom is here to stay

While Google Classroom is a big shift from the way that we taught before, the ability to give students interactive feedback and have students practice using digital tools is a game changer for math class.

Definitely check out my full library of Google Sheets and Google Forms activities, and consider signing up for my newsletter to get more helpful tips like this. (I'll send you 5 free PDF activities for you to try!).

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Hi, I'm Ping!

I spent 7 years in the classroom working to make math fun and relevant in middle school, by integrating math, art, and technology. I started Congruent Math to share this all with you.

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