There is so much to do at the start of the school year, and things certainly don’t slow down once your students start completing work and taking assessments. Making sure your students accomplish tasks, meeting with grade level teams, and planning lessons can make for a mess of sticky notes, notebooks, and paper! Why not utilize your digital tools to get organized this school year! One of my favorite ways to get organized is with Google Keep. Start using Google Keep for organizing your notes and to-do lists!
Creating notes in Google Keep is easy! Simply add the Chrome extension or go to keep.google.com. Click take a note and start typing. Notes look like digital post-its and are so versatile! Add images, text, and even voice. Notes can be hand-written or typed. There’s so much you can do with Google Keep. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use Google Keep in the classroom!
Reminders
First, Google Keep is perfect for setting reminders! On the left side of your Google Keep note, there is a bell icon. Click that icon to set a reminder. Pick dates, times, and even locations where your reminder will alert you to a task to complete.
Collaborators
Another one of my favorite features of Google Keep is adding collaborators. Like your other Google Tools, you can invite others to add to your Google Keep notes. This is perfect for assigning team tasks for grade level or curriculum teams. In addition, teachers can add ideas and brainstorm using collaborative Google Keep notes!
Color Code
Next, there are 12 different color options for your Keep notes. Change the color based on the tasks, curriculum area, home/school, or other categories. One way to optimize the color coding is to use Google Keep as your lesson planning checklist. What do you need to accomplish this week or month in each content area? Color code based on the subject and make a to-do list to check off as the items are complete!
To-Do Lists
Speaking of to-do lists, making a list is so easy with Google Keep. Just make sure “show checkboxes” is selected. Once you or one of your collaborators complete a task, check it off!
Add Google Drawings
Google Keep also integrates so well with other Google tools. Click the three dots on your note to add a Google Drawing. When your note needs a diagram or image, add the drawing. You don’t have to be an artist to add Google Drawings to your Keep notes.
Labels
In addition to colors, labels can help you organize your notes. Label based on content area, task priorities, units, weeks/months, and more. The possibilities are endless. Your labels should be based on your organization. Get more ideas on how to get organized in our Classroom Organization Academy!
Voice
On the Google Keep mobile app, you can add voice notes! Simply click on the voice icon and your voice will be converted to text. Edit the text on any version of Google Keep but add voice notes on the mobile app only.
Convert to Text
If you choose to handwrite your notes, you may click the three dots to grab image text. Your handwriting will be converted to text that you can send to others or add to a Google Doc.
Google Docs
Did you know you can send your Google Keep notes to Google Docs? Sending your notes to Docs makes it more accessible to share with all users. In addition, Google Docs are perfect for printing or sharing with your learners in the classroom! Jot your ideas on Google Keep then send them to Google Docs for the perfect collaboration.
I love using Google Keep for organizing notes and to-do lists! There are so many ways to use Google Keep. Want to use my templates for your Google Keep? Grab my free headers below when you fill out the contact form below.
How will you use Google Keep in your classroom?
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