Back-to-school season always feels like a whirlwind—new schedules, fresh lesson plans, and about a thousand little things to keep track of. But when it comes to technology, building a few simple routines can save your time and your sanity.
Here are five easy tech routines to start the school year off strong:
1. Use Version History Like a Safety Net
Accidentally delete an assignment? Student overwrote your beautifully formatted template? No panic necessary. Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets all have a Version History tool. With just a few clicks, you can restore previous versions of a document (or even copy pieces from earlier drafts). Make it part of your routine to check version history before spending time recreating work.
💡 Pro Tip: Teach students how to use this feature, too—it builds independence and responsibility.
2. Set Up Email Filters to Declutter Your Inbox
Your inbox doesn’t have to feel like a firehose. Spend 10 minutes setting up filters at the start of the year:
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Parent newsletters → Auto-label and skip inbox.
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Student submissions → Route into a single folder.
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Professional development updates → Archive until you’re ready.
This way, the only emails hitting your inbox are the ones that actually need your attention.
3. Use Voice Notes for Quick Wins
Instead of typing long reminders or trying to capture ideas mid-chaos, use voice notes. Apps like Google Keep, Otter, or even the voice memo feature on your phone can turn your thoughts into text. It’s a great way to capture parent phone call notes, student observations, or reminders on the fly.
4. Build Student Chromebook Care Routines
A little structure early on goes a long way in preventing mid-year meltdowns over broken or missing devices. Try setting up simple routines like:
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A morning and afternoon Chromebook check-in spot.
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Weekly “clean your screen and keyboard” time.
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Teaching students to charge at the same time each day.
Consistency means fewer tech headaches for you later.
PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE CLOROX WIPES ON SCREENS!! They are fine to use on keyboards and the external parts of the Chromebooks, but not on screens.
My Fave Screen Cleaning Wipes: (affiliate link)
5. Create Google Keep Checklists for Everything
Checklists aren’t just for groceries. Use Google Keep to create reusable checklists for:
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Materials you need for common lessons.
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Sub plans.
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Weekly classroom reset tasks.
Bonus: You can share lists with co-teachers or even your students for collaborative routines.
Final Thoughts
The start of the year is the perfect time to put systems in place that will save you stress later. These tech routines are simple to set up but powerful in keeping you organized and sane when the school year gets busy.
✨ Remember: small routines add up to big relief. Pick one to start this week and layer in the others as you go.
