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WGS Parent Directions for Canvas
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    WGS Parent Directions for Using Canvas LMS  

Canvas is an online learning management system that will be used by your child’s teacher this year to:

  1. Post class resources such as homework assignments and notes.
  2. Post newsletters, events, and announcements
  3. Post online assignments, quizzes, and discussions (1st semester - only 4th-6th grade students; 2nd semester - all students)

Parents are encouraged to sign up as observers in their child’s class. Doing so will allow you to receive email or text notifications when assignments and announcements are posted to the course.

To create a parent account in Canvas

  1. Go to https://mcboe.instructure.com (Google Chrome works best)
  2. Click “Parent of a Canvas user? Click Here for an Account”

  1. Complete fields with Your Name, Child’s Username/Password (ask your child’s teacher for this information). Agree to the terms of use and click Start Participating.

You  will then enter Canvas. Click on the “Account” link in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Then, click on “Settings.”

  1. Add additional emails and other contact method to include your cell phone for text messages.

To observe more than one Madison County student:

Click Account - Settings - Observing - Add 2nd student’s username and password

To receive text or email notifications:

  1. Under “Ways to Contact” menu, enter an email address and a cell phone number. This will allow your child’s teachers to send you messages directly from Canvas, but it does NOT allow them to see your cell phone number.

  1. Click on “Notifications” link on the left hand of the screen.
  2. Under the “Cell Number” and/or “Email Address” columns, click the “check mark” for each notification you want to receive.  Recommended:  Due Date, Announcement, Grading, and Conversation Message.

  1.  To finish the registration process, check your email. Open the email titled, “Confirm Registration: Canvas”. Click on the included link to finish the registration process.  
  2. When you wish to login to Canvas again:
  1. Go to https://mcboe.instructure.com
  2. Enter your email address and password
  3. Once in Canvas, use the “Courses” button to select the course you would like to explore/observe.


If you have any questions, email our WGS Canvas contact at hwhitt@mcssk12.org.


Thanks to Paige Craig of Buckhorn High School for this Canvas Parent Guide.