I use Canvas too, but more like a web page for my life skills class. I made it nice looking so it wouldn't bug the crap out of me. The YouTube channel called "Canvas For Littles" was a lifesaver for me.
I’ve been watching those videos. Someone here (maybe you) recommended them.
I just don’t understand paying for a platform at the elementary level when Google is free, syncs with everything and has all the features you need. Secondary is different. And I’m not just saying this because I spent 7-8 years learning Google and love it. Ok, maybe a little. But it doesn’t make it less true.
sync with Google? Can't you create a button in Canvas to take them to Google classroom? (Blind leading the blind here, but this was my limited understanding.) We have Canvas, but I am not required (at this moment) to use it.
Maybe you can ask your admin if you can use it anyway if it is free. At my school, core class teachers use canvas, and arts teachers such as music, art, etc, are using Google classroom.
I, too, am using Canvas instead of GC this year and agree with all of the above. Everything takes so many clicks to accomplish. But, because of Covid, I wanted my students to have one less new thing to deal with, and the district uses Canvas. The only saving grace is Canvas is now synching with our gradebook. Other than that, I will take GC any day.