Your Canvas guide.
Canvas is the online platform you and your student use to access courses, attend live sessions, complete assignments, check grades, and message teachers. This guide walks through the basics for both students and parents or guardians.
Your screen may look slightly different from the screenshots and videos here. Canvas updates from time to time, and layouts can change. If something doesn't match what you're seeing, contact TSD.
For students: your Canvas dashboard
When you log in to Canvas, you'll land on your Dashboard. Here's what you'll find:
- Courses — all your current classes appear as course cards. Click any card to open that class.
- Grades — open a course and select "Grades" from the left menu to see your current grades. You can also see your grade on the front of the course card.
- Inbox — Canvas's built-in messaging system, different from your email address. Check it every school day so messages from teachers don't get missed. Look for the inbox icon in the left navigation bar.
- Calendar — shows all assignments and due dates across your courses in one view.
For parents & guardians: observer access
As a parent or guardian, you have a separate guardian Canvas account with observer access — you can see your student's courses, grades, and assignments without being able to make changes. Here's how to get to your observer view:
Log in with your guardian credentials
These are separate from your student's login.
Select your student's name
From the dashboard, choose your student to view their courses and an overview of progress.
Review grades, assignments & announcements
From there you can view grades, upcoming assignments, and course announcements.
Learning Coaches can also use their guardian account to communicate with teachers, Success Coaches, and other school staff while staying informed about attendance, coursework, and progress.
Not sure how to log in as a parent? See Login & AccessCanvas basics: what you'll do most
Joining from Canvas
Most teachers post the live session schedule in Canvas. Students join by clicking myAMP Meetings in the navigation menu, or from the front of their course card. Click the link at the scheduled time to join.
Live SessionsSubmitting work
Open the course, click Assignments in the left menu, find the assignment and open it. Type a response, upload a file, or complete a quiz — then click Submit Assignment. You'll see a confirmation that it went through.
Reviewing lessons
Open your course, click Modules, and work through lessons, videos, and activities in order. Watch for due dates and announcements, and use "Next" or "Mark as Done" to move through the sequence.
Messaging teachers
Click the Inbox icon in the left navigation, then the compose (pencil) icon. Select your teacher, type your message, and hit Send. Check back for replies from your teachers.
Tip: Some teachers expect students to complete module items in order — start at the top and work your way down.
Canvas FAQ
Make sure you're logged in with the correct account. Then click "Courses" in the left navigation and look for "All Courses." If courses still aren't showing, contact TSD — there may be a course enrollment sync issue.
Check your submission confirmation. If you don't see one, the assignment may not have gone through. Try resubmitting, and contact your teacher if the issue continues.
Check your Canvas Inbox (not your regular email). Teachers send messages through Canvas's internal system. If you still can't find it, ask your teacher to resend.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, clear your browser's cache or try a different browser. Still having trouble? Contact TSD.
The three most important Canvas habits
You don't need to memorize Canvas. Start with the basics — courses, assignments, grades, and inbox:
Log in to Canvas at the start of each school day.
Check the Inbox for messages.
Review the Calendar before signing off to confirm your daily tasks are done.
Still need help with Canvas?
The TSD Help Desk can help with login issues, course access, and anything else tech-related.