Canvas: How do I post or add an assignment?

In this article:

1. Creating and Linking an Assignment
2. Creating Canvas Assignments on paper only lessons
   1. For districts with Google Accounts
   2. For districts without Google accounts
3. Editing the Start and Due Dates

Once you have created a class in CommonLit, you can start linking assignments to Canvas. The following CommonLit assignments can be linked to Canvas:

• Library Texts
• Target Lessons
• CommonLit 360 Lessons
• Unit Skills Assessments

Creating and Linking an Assignment

To link an assignment to Canvas, you must first create the assignment on CommonLit. Click Go to CommonLit to access the CommonLit Library and create your assignment.

Once you’ve created your assignment, return to Canvas and click Link Existing Assignment.

Select the corresponding class from your CommonLit account.

Scroll down and search for your assignment. Then, click Add to Canvas.

Then, click Select.

It is optional to choose your assignment’s Available from and Due dates on Canvas. Note that CommonLit assignments are available at 12:00 AM EST on the start date and due by 11:59 PM EST on the due date. 

It is also optional to only assign the Canvas assignment to a particular section in your Canvas course. For more information, see the Using Canvas Sections with CommonLit guide.

Then, click Save or Save & Publish.

Your assignment is now linked to Canvas!

Creating Canvas Assignments for on paper only lessons

Some CommonLit 360 lessons are not digitally assignable, and students won't be able to complete them directly on CommonLit.

For these assignments, you can create a Canvas assignment and attach student resources from the CommonLit assignment.

For districts with Google accounts:

If your students have Google accounts, you can click the Copy this document button for the Student Copy of a lesson, copy the URL, and share it on a Canvas assignment.

For districts without Google accounts:

If your students do not have Google accounts, you can follow the steps below:

1. Right click the Copy this document button for the Student Copy >  Copy Link
2. Open a new tab
3. Paste the link
4. Delete "/copy" from the end of the URL and press Enter
5. Click File in the upper left corner > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx)

Once you've downloaded the student copy, you can attach it to a Canvas assignment.

Editing the Start or Due Date

After you have linked an assignment to Canvas, the start and due dates are still controlled by CommonLit. You have the option to add due and start (and close) dates and times in Canvas. These control when students can see and access the assignment in Canvas. However, if there is a mismatch between Canvas and CommonLit and a student accesses an assignment in Canvas that has a future start date in CommonLit, the student will not be able to complete the assignment in CommonLit until the CommonLit start date and time arrives.