By adding a grade Item you can award points for participation or activities other than assignments set up within the platform. For example, create a grade item to award points for attending a specific function.

Add a Grade Item

1. Go to the Gradebook and click on the Setup tab.
   
2. You should be on the Gradebook setup by default; click if needed.
   Click Add Grade Item.
   
3. Enter the Item Name (this will become the column-header in the gradebook).
   
4. Enter the Maximum Grade a student can earn.
   
5. Save Changes. 

To manually enter grades in the gradebook, see Override Grades (Override Grade - Assignment as a Whole).