Handbook for my workshop on creating classroom websites using Smore, Google Sites, and Weebly. 2013-14 School Year.

1. Meredith Martin
mmartin@mantuaschools.com
@geekyteach

2. 1.
Smore.com is a
great tool for
creating simple
websites or
newsletters.
2.
First, you'll
need to set up
an account.
Click the
orange TRY IT
NOW button and
fill in your
information.

3. 3.
Next, choose a template. You
can always make changes to it
later. The Class template is a
good starting point.
Give your page a title.
4.

4. Add your content! You can
format it just like a word
processor.
You can add other content
at any time. There are a
variety of options to
choose from.
6.
5.

5. On the right hand menu,
customize your page by
changing the background,
colors, and fonts.
7.
8.
Once you have told Smore
that you are finished, you
have a few options.
Link to page is the web
address for this page.
Flyer settings has some
more options before you
finish up.

6. 10.
Under Flyer
Settings you
can choose
the elements
you want on
your page,
and your
privacy
settings.
If you are using
Smore for classroom
newsletters, you can
click on Your Flyers
on the menu bar at the
top to get the link to
a page showing all of
your flyers.
9.

7. 1.
In your email
account, click on
Sites in the black
bar across the
top.
2.
On the Sites
page, you will
click the red
create button
to begin.

8. 3.
4.
This brings
you to the
site setup
page. Stick
with the Blank
Template.
Give your site a
name, and also
choose a simple
URL. You can
change these
later if you
decide to use
something
different.
Click
Create!

9. 5.
6.
You will now
be at the
home page
of your new
website!
On the right hand side
are your editing
controls. To edit your
home page, click the
pencil button.

10. 7.
8.
At the top of
your page,
you will now
have your
editing tools,
just like a
regular word
processor.
The Insert menu has
many options. Insert
images, documents,
maps, and more!
Click Save
when you are
done!

11. 9.
Clicking the new page button
opens up the new page menu.
Give your new page a name,
and be sure to put it under
HOME.
New Page
Button

12. 10.
The MORE button at the top
of your page gives you
access to more settings.
From here, you can select
Manage Site to make site
wide changes.

13. 11.
12.
On the
Manage SIte
page, go to
Sharing and
Permissions.
This gives you
the link you
can share
with parents.
You will want to make
your site Public on the
Web so that it is
viewable outside of
our domain.

14. 1.
Weebly.com is
another great
free website
host!
2.
To get
started, enter
your name,
email,, and
choose a
password.

15. 3.
4.
Select a
theme from
their many
choices. You
can always
change your
theme later
on.
Select a URL for
your new site. This
is the web
address you will
share with parents
and students.

16. 5.
6.
You now have the option to
plan out your site, or jump
right into building it.
The site planner walks
you through the steps
of planning and
designing your site.
If you already know
the basics of what you
want, you can skip this
step and go right to
Build My Site.

17. 7.
8.
Once you
begin to
build, you are
taken to your
site editor.
There are a ton
of items you
can add to your
site just by
dragging and
dropping.

18. 9.
10.
Simple text
editors are
available for
all text input
options
You can also choose
an element with an
image and upload your
picture from your
computer.

19. 11.
12.
In the top
right corner
are your
social icons.
You can fill in
your info if
you want, or
remove
individual
items.
Clicking on Design at
the top of your window
opens your site design
options where you can
change colors, fonts,
and themes.

20. 13.
14.
Under the
Pages menu,
you can add
new pages or
change
settings for
existing
pages.
You have several
choices for page
types.

21. 15.
16.
On the right
hand side of
the Pages
menu, you can
set your
layout and
other page
settings.
Under the settings tab,
you can make changes
to your site name and
url. Please note:
Once you share your
URL with parents, do
not change it.

22. You can also view and
optimize your site for
mobile devices such as
phones and tablets.
17.
18.
Mobile device view lets you
change your settings for
when you site is viewed on a
phone or tablet device. It
also shows the
differences between the
look on an Android or
Apple device.

23. 19.
20.
When you are
finished your
changes and
ready to
make your
site live,
click on
PUBLISH.
Your site is now live
and viewable online.
The address in blue is
your website address.
You can ignore the
custom domain options
as those cost money.