How do I mark an assignment or calendar event with an important date as an instructor?

This lesson applies to users at institutions that have enabled the Canvas for Elementary user interface.

As an instructor, you can mark assignments, graded discussions, quizzes, and calendar events with an important date. Important date items display in the Homeroom sidebar.

Notes:

  • User calendar events do not support important dates.
  • Differentiated assignments marked with an important date display the due date assigned to the student in the Homeroom sidebar.

Open Assignment, Graded Discussion, or Quiz

From the subject's Modules tab [1], click the title of the assignment, graded discussion, or quiz you'd like to mark with an important date [2].

Edit Item

Edit Item

Click the Edit button.

Add Important Date

Add Important

Add a due date [1].

To mark the due date as an important date and display the item in the Homeroom sidebar, click the Mark as important date and show on homeroom sidebar checkbox [2].

To save your changes, click the Save button [3].

Notes:

  • Important dates can only be marked for assignments, graded discussions, quizzes, and calendar events.
  • A due date must be added to mark an assignment, graded discussion, or quiz with an important date.
  • Differentiated assignments marked with an important date display the due date assigned to the student in the Homeroom sidebar.

Open Calendar

You can mark a calendar event with an important date.

To open the Calendar, click the Calendar icon in Global Navigation [1].

In the Calendar sidebar, select the Canvas for Elementary course calendar in which you'd like to mark an event with an important date [2].

Notes:

  • User calendar events do not support important dates.
  • Important dates are hidden 24 hours past the specified date.

Open Calendar Item

Open Calendar Item

To mark an existing calendar event, assignment, or graded discussion with an important date, click the calendar item [1] and click the Edit button [2].

Alternatively, you can add a new event by clicking the Create New Event button [3].

Manage Calendar Event

Manage Calendar Event

To mark the event date as an important date and show the event in the Homeroom sidebar, click the Mark as Important Date checkbox [1].

To save your changes, click the Submit button [2].

Manage Assignment or Graded Discussion

Manage Assignment or Graded Discussion

To mark an assignment or graded discussion as an important date and show the event in the Homeroom sidebar, click the Mark as Important Date checkbox [1].

To save your changes, click the Submit button [2].

View Important Date Items

Important date items display in date order in the Homeroom sidebar.

Notes:

  • The important date displays immediately after saving.
  • The Homeroom sidebar displays up to 100 items.