Organizing Gmail and Google Drive

Keeping your Gmail and Google Drive organized will help you find important information, remember assignments, manage your time, and complete tasks independently. These routines strengthen executive functioning skills such as organization, planning, prioritizing, working memory, and task completion.

Digital organization also demonstrates our core values:

• Responsibility: Keeping track of your messages, assignments, and materials

• Respect: Reading and responding to school communication appropriately

• Integrity: Managing your own work honestly and carefully

• Courage: Asking questions or requesting help when you need it

• Citizenship: Helping create an organized and productive school community

Gmail Organization

Teachers, administrators, and Google Classroom will use Gmail to share important information. Check your school email regularly so you do not miss announcements, reminders, or assignments.

Step 1: Create a School-Year Label

Create one main label called:

2026–2027

Your subject labels should be placed underneath this label so all school emails are grouped together.

Step 2: Create Labels for Your Classes

Create a label for each class on your schedule.

Required Core Subject Labels

• ELA

• Math

• Social Studies

• Science

Use the teacher-assigned colors for your core subject labels.

Other Possible Labels

Your labels will depend on your individual schedule. They may include:

• World Language

• Art

• Music

• Leadership

• Game Design

• PE/Health

• Study Hall

• MMS Information

• Band

• Strings

• Chorus

• MAPS

• RWS

• ELL

• Study Skills

• Applied Language Strategies

• Executive Functioning

You may choose your own colors for non-core classes. Using a different color for each subject can help you locate emails more quickly.

Step 3: Organize Your Emails

When you open an email, ask yourself:

1. Does this require immediate attention?
   Complete the action, respond if needed, or add the information to your planner.

2. Which class or category does it belong to?
   Move the email into the correct label.

3. Will I need this information later?
   Keep the email in the appropriate label so you can find it again.

Do not delete school emails unless a teacher tells you that it is appropriate. Important information may need to be retrieved later.

Step 4: Check Gmail Every Day

Check your email at least three times each school day:

• Before Block 1

• During study hall

• After school

Gmail Reminders

• Use school email to communicate with teachers and school staff.

• Do not use your school email for casual conversations with classmates.

• Read the entire email before responding.

• Use a greeting, complete sentences, a respectful tone, and a sign-off.

• Never share your password with another student.

Google Drive Organization

Google Drive is where many of your assignments, documents, projects, and class materials will be stored. An organized Drive will help you locate your work quickly and prevent assignments from becoming lost.

Step 1: Create a School-Year Folder

In My Drive, create a main folder called:

2026–2027

All school folders and documents should be kept inside this folder.

Step 2: Create a Folder for Each Class

Inside the 2026–2027 folder, create a folder for each class on your schedule.

Your folders may include:

• ELA

• Math

• Social Studies

• Science

• World Language

• PE/Health

• Cycle Classes

• Study Skills or Support Classes

• MMS Information

Use the same subject names and colors that you use in Gmail whenever possible. This will make both systems easier to navigate.

Step 3: Name Your Documents Clearly

Every document should have a specific title. Avoid names such as:

• Untitled Document

• Assignment

• My Work

• New Document

Instead, use a clear title that includes the assignment name.

Examples:

• Character Traits CER

• Science Lab: Plant Growth

• Ancient Egypt Notes

• Fractions Practice

• Spanish Vocabulary Unit 1

Follow your teacher’s directions if a specific naming format is required.

Step 4: Move Documents into the Correct Folder

After creating or opening a document:

1. Check the title.

2. Select the folder icon.

3. Move the document into the correct subject folder.

4. Confirm that it is saved in the correct location.

Do not leave school documents loose in My Drive.

Step 5: Complete a Weekly Organization Check

At least once each week:

• Rename any untitled documents.

• Move loose documents into the correct folders.

• Check that assignments are in the correct subject folders.

• Remove unnecessary duplicate copies.

• Make sure important work has not been placed in the trash.

Your Daily Digital Organization Routine

Before leaving school each day:

• Check Gmail for important messages.

• Respond to anything that requires attention.

• Move emails into the correct labels.

• Check Google Classroom for assignments and announcements.

• Record important information in your planner.

• Place Google Drive documents into the correct folders.

• Ask for help if you are unsure where something belongs.

Remember

Being organized does not mean that you will never forget something or make a mistake. It means that you have a system that helps you solve problems, recover information, and take responsibility for your learning.