Metadata

A great way to start every nature journal page is with metadata, so you can remember where you were and when. It’s also helpful so you’re not just staring down a blank page! The simplest way to remember what is most important to include is with the phrase “Keep it on the Down-Low” With the “D” for Date and time (and moon phase, etc), and the “L” for Location (Where you are, what the weather is like, who you’re with).

1. Metadata (done together as a group, with the teacher providing information and students sharing ideas)
   1. I start by saying that we need to “keep it on the Down-Low.” This is a way to remember the two most important parts of metadata: the Date & Location, or the when and where.
   2. Tell students they can include this on the top, bottom, or side of their page, leaving the middle free for their nature journaling.
   3. For date (or the “when”) part, we include the date and time of day, and the moon phase if you know it or can see it.
      • Moon phase in Hawaii: https://kamehamehapublishing.org/mooncalendar/
   4. For location (the “where”), include the common name of the place and the indigenous name if you know it (very relevant here in Hawai’i). I also use this as a prompt to consider the weather where we are – how much cloud cover/sun, the temperature (can be as simple as how it feels), the wind direction/speed (can be a general approximation). Small cartoons to describe the weather are encouraged.
   5. Roseann Hanson has a detailed approach to metadata you can learn about here: https://www.exploringoverland.com/constantapprentice/2021/12/21/mnemonic-for-metadata-reminders