Quick Start Guide to Canvas

This article is intended only for CommonLit customers and pilot partners with early access to Canvas this spring. Our Canvas integration will be available for purchase beginning in SY 22-23 as a part of our School Essentials PRO package. To learn more about School Essentials PRO, please head to: https://www.commonlit.org/en/school-essentials

Through our Canvas integration, you can import your Canvas classes, link CommonLit assignments to Canvas, and automatically pass grades from CommonLit to your Canvas Gradebook. Follow the instructions below to learn how to get started using our Canvas integration.

Access CommonLit from Canvas

CommonLit can currently only be accessed through a Canvas assignment. To access CommonLit on Canvas (as a teacher), click Assignments on your Canvas course navigation.

Then, click + Assignment.

On your Assignment form, select External Tool under Submission Type. Then, click Find and select CommonLit.

Step 1: Connect your CommonLit Account to Canvas

To use CommonLit on Canvas, you will first need to connect your existing account or create a new account linked to Canvas. On the "Authorize Your Account" page, click Yes.

Then, sign in to your existing CommonLit account or create a new CommonLit account if you don't already have one. 

Step 2: Import your Course from Canvas

Once you've connected your CommonLit account to Canvas, you will need to import your Canvas courses. This is necessary to link CommonLit assignments to Canvas and pass scores back to your Canvas grade book. If your course is published and available to import, click Import Class.

Select the grade levels and subjects associated with your class, then click Import.

CommonLit will automatically import your class and any students and co-teachers enrolled in this class on Canvas. Click Create/Add Assignments to start creating assignments.

Step 3: Create an Assignment for your Canvas Class

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

For more information on how to create an assignment on CommonLit, see How do I create an assignment?

Step 4: Link your Assignment to Canvas

After you’ve created your assignment, go back to Canvas by clicking on your Canvas tab.

Then click Link Existing Assignment. Scroll down to your assignment and click Add to Canvas.

Then, click Select.

Be sure to choose the Available at and Due dates for your assignment on Canvas. Note that CommonLit assignments are available at 12:00 AM on the start date and due by 11:59 PM on the due date. 

Then click Save or Save and Publish.

Your assignment will now be linked to Canvas.

When an assignment is published on Canvas, students will be able to access and complete CommonLit assignments directly within Canvas (if you didn't decide to load the tool in a new tab). 

Step 5: Grade Students' Assignments

After students have submitted their assignments, you will need to grade their assignments from CommonLit. If you're viewing the assignment from Canvas, click Go to CommonLit to grade your assignment.

If you're viewing the assignment from Canvas, click Go to CommonLit to grade your assignment. Then, on your Assignment Dashboard page, click the Grading Page option to grade your assignment. (Note: If you assigned an assignment from a 360 unit, click the Assignment Report option. Assessments and diagnostics don't require grading.)

For more information about how to grade assignments, please see the following FAQs: 

Step 6: Release Scores to Pass Grades to Canvas

Once you've graded an assignment, go to your Assignment Report page and click Release Students' Scores.

CommonLit will automatically send scores back to your Canvas grade book.