We’ve all been there… Standing at the copy machine for what feels like hours, watching the counter slowly tick up: 47… 48… 49… while that stack of papers grows and your prep time disappears. Whether it’s a paper jam, an empty toner cartridge, or just the sheer volume of copies needed for 100+ students, the copy machine has become the bane of many teachers’ existence. So, want to know how to spend less time at the copier?
I’ve got you!
As my husband always says about me, I will work really hard to not have to work really hard. (He means this as a compliment – I’m always finding the best shortcuts!) After years of refining my copying strategies, I’ve discovered three methods that have literally saved me tens of thousands of copies and countless hours.
These are game-changers for efficiency.
I make class sets of copies of anything that students don’t actually need to write on – things like reading articles, lab instructions, reference pages, etc. Instead of making 100+ new copies of these pages every single year for every class period, I make one class set plus a few extras – around 35 total – once. I save them and reuse them class-to-class and year-to-year. I store these reusable papers in folders with the other unit materials.
💡 Here’s the key: I make these class sets on colored paper.
My students know from day one that if they have a colored paper in front of them, THEY DON’T WRITE ON IT. Every time I pass one of these reusable pages out, I say to the class, “This is colored paper, what does that say to your brain?” and like a horde of zombies, they always drone back, “don’t write on it.”
They know they can only write on white copy paper. This way, they’re accustomed to preserving my “save” copies. The colored paper helps them easily remember.
Time saver: Instead of 100+ copies per handout, I make 35 once and use them for years.
My tests are designed to have all of the questions in a separate packet from the answer sheet. I copy one class set (about 35) of test question packets on colored paper (see my reasoning above) and I give the kids a separate white answer sheet. My students know that they can’t write on the colored test question packet – only on the white answer sheet.
🕒 This saves SO MUCH TIME because it not only reduces copies but also keeps me from having to flip through 100+ test pages one by one. All student answers are on the front of one simple page.
Time saved: Fewer copies + faster grading = hours back in your week.
If you don’t want to reinvent the wheel, I do offer bundles of all my physical science, life science, and Earth science test packets and answer sheets…
While copier technology doesn’t seem to have gone anywhere in a few decades, there’s another technology that does impress this old-timer. A magical little unicorn can create Google Forms without even having to manually enter in the questions!
I’m sure you know that self-grading Google Forms tests can save you from making a million paper copies AND save you time, but did you know there’s a Chrome extension that can make them for you? SERIOUSLY! It’s called Automagical Forms. It will read any PDF you upload and make a Google Forms test from it! (You can watch a video on how to do this HERE. It’s easy.)
It’s well worth your time to turn all your old PDF assessments into Google Forms because not only do you save time grading this year, you can reuse the same Google Form year after year.
Bonus: I set mine to email students their scores immediately. They love the instant feedback, and I love not having to grade 120 tests by hand!
If you want to save even more time, I have TONS of pre-made Google Forms tests available – one for every single NGSS middle school topic! These will definitely help you spend less time at the copier! 👇
💡 Pro tip: After students complete a Google Form, click on the “Responses” tab to see instant visual summaries of their performance. Google automatically creates pie charts and bar graphs showing you exactly how many students chose each answer. If you see that 75% of your class got question #4 wrong, you know immediately that the concept needs to be retaught before moving on. Just a quick glance at the colorful charts tells you everything you need to know about class understanding.
Time saved: No printing at the copier, no grading, immediate data – this alone can save hours per test.
Why use a full sheet of paper when half will do?
If I have any kind of short assignment, especially quizzes, that only takes up the front of one page, I turn it into a half-page front and back. So, I make two assignments for each sheet of paper. This way, I can make half the copies and cut them in half.
How it works:
💡 Pro Tip: Make the two versions (top/bottom) have answer options in different orders. This way, wandering eyes may or may not see the correct answers for the quiz they have!
Time saved: Cut your quiz copying time in half, literally.
One word: FORMATTING. Notice on my quiz above that I use half-inch margins and, when possible, I fit all the multiple-choice answers on one line instead of 4 different lines. I only use 1.0 line spacing. I don’t add pictures that aren’t necessary. To state it plainly, I cram as much as I can on one page so I don’t have to copy a second!
These strategies have transformed my relationship with the copy machine.
Nope. That’s a total lie.
I still hate the copy machine.
But what used to be a daily source of stress and a huge waste of time is now a more minor part of my routine. I spend less time at the copier than ever before.
And if you try these strategies, your future self will thank you when you’re not standing at that copy machine for the hundredth time this week, watching it jam on copy 13 of 125.
Do you have any other tips to spend less time at the copier? I’d love to hear about any creative copying shortcuts you’ve discovered, too!
