Posting documents on Google Classroom that don't need to be submitted

[UPDATE: Google Classroom has fixed this problem with the addition of the Post Material option, so this post is moot.][Does Google ever run their updates by actual teachers?! ]

I have a particular problem with the new Google Classroom - you can't assign a topic to an announcement.

So if I want student to be able to go back and locate a worksheet or a text document to study for a quiz or test, I have to post it as an assignment, so the posts are organized by topic.

But if I am sending out a graphic organizer on Google Docs, I want the students to have their own copy, and I don't want them to have to submit the document back to me - it's there for them to use, and to train them to take notes.

I tried to do it as I did last year, but it didn't work.

Unfortunately, as teachers we cannot see what the student gets when we post something. Luckily I have a fake student account, and recently I went back and forth through 4 different attempts until I got what I needed.

To wit:
1. Send out as an Assignment so that it can be grouped with the other worksheets and easily retrieved later.
2. Force each student to make a copy of the original document so that each student is working on his/her own copy
3. Not require them to return the document to me, but just to click the MARK AS DONE button.

The Process

Step One: Create your document on Google Docs.

Step Two: Change the Sharing settings from Anyone with the link can edit to Force everyone to make a copy.

You can do that manually (see directions here) or you can use the Sir Links-a-Lot Chrome extension (see post here).
Make sure the new link is saved to your clipboard.

Step Three: Open Google Classroom and Create an Assignment.

Name the assignment, change the Points Value to "Ungraded," do not assign a Due Date, and assign a Topic.

Do NOT use the Add Link feature! Paste the force-copy link on the Instructions line, and click ASSIGN.

This is what the student sees:

Student clicks on the link and it opens another window and forces them to make a copy. Student can then just click MARK AS DONE and clear the "assignment."

Sir Links-a-Lot Chrome extension

Here's a handy extension that can change your Google Doc's sharing setting from "Anyone with a link can edit / view" to forcing anyone with the link to make a copy.

Why would you want to do that?

I use it all the time to send out a Google Doc when I want every student to have his/her own copy to edit, highlight, take notes on, etc. but not as a class.

It can be found in the Chrome store here.

When installed, it looks like this when you click it while you have a Google Doc open.

Click Force copy and it with change the "edit" in the link to "copy.

Then share this new link with your class.

There are other functions available; I have found this one to be the most useful.

You can also do this manually, without the extension. Directions here.

The fastest way to collect data - Google Classroom Questions

I finally got my textbooks! 😊

I had to distribute them to my classes, but I did not have a class roster on which to write down all the book numbers.🙁

Solution: Google Classroom | Classwork | + Create button | Question:

Question: What are the last 4 digits of your bookplate number?

Points: Ungraded

Due Date: No due date

Topic: Question

And voila. Instant data collection. I just copied the Turned in work and pasted it into Notepad, which strips out the formatting and saved the list.