How far is far enough?

It can be really hard to get a classroom full of first graders interested in math. That is why it is important for teachers to include literature to help supplement their lessons. Not only does it make math fun, but it shows kids that reading is something they will always use. Keep Your Distance! is a funny story about two sisters who are forced into rooming together because of their new baby sister. The oldest sister Jen decides she wants to get as far away from her middle sister as possible! This book includes tons of fun ways to provide visual examples of specific distances.

Gail Herman wrote the book Keep Your Distance! When could this book be used in the classroom?

Cami: It could help address two standards.  The first is MCC.1.MD.1 Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.

And the second is MCC.1.MD.2 Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units, by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end; understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps. Limit to contexts where the object being measured is spanned by a whole number of length units with no gaps or overlaps.
Billie: As Cami said it addresses a couple math standards, both of which relate to measurement. For example when the older sister Jen talks about Lucy needing to stay one inch away from her, the book includes a picture that shows children how big one inch is. 

The book is good at helping children understand measurements, but is it also an engaging read outside of the mathematical aspect?

Cami: Oh yes! It’s such a fun story. I think the kids would be really engaged because the two sisters, Jen and Lucy are sharing a room. Jen is fed up with Lucy always being in her way so she decides that she will start measuring how far from Lucy she can get. She even decides to go to the moon in order to get away from her little sister! (And it includes how many miles away the moon is, 240000 miles.)

Billie: Definitely! It is completely relatable for the children (especially those that have siblings.)

Did you have a favorite part of the book?

Billie: I absolutely loved the illustrations. They were so detailed and fit the story perfectly! I also really liked how the book ended, Jen stuck by her sister because that is what family does. No matter how much your little sister is annoying you, you still can love her. I think that is a great message to send to children!

Cami: I loved the ending too! As badly as Jen wanted to get far away from her she decided in the end that she wanted to stay right by her side because she loves her sister.

Do you think this book would be more beneficial in a read aloud setting or a small group setting?

Cami: I think this story would be great in a read aloud setting. It would be a fun way to introduce a lesson on measurements! You could read the story then in a small group setting you could discuss the different forms of measurement.
Billie: Personally, I think that it be beneficial in both areas. I think that it would be a great lesson introduction to get the kids excited and interested. But, I think that you could also use it again in the small group setting. I think it would help the kids to have the book in front of them, because on the bottom of the pages where distance is discussed it includes a little example box. The examples are a great tool to help kids who are more visual.

Are you having a hard time getting your kids interested in measurements? This book is the perfect example of using children’s literature for engaging children in all subject areas, not just language arts. We hope that you will find this book beneficial in your classroom