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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

One Grain of Rice

One Grain of Rice is a mathematical folktale from India that covers the concept of doubling.

A lesson plan for grades 4–5 English Language Arts and Mathematics

By Katherine Williamson

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Learning outcomes

The learner will demonstrate application of calculator skills by figuring the total amount of rice Rani will receive from the Raja through the mathematical concept doubling.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 Minutes

Materials/resources

Technology resources

  • Calculators
  • Optional: Computers with Kid Pix.

Pre-activities

Ask students would they rather have $10,000 dollars right now or receive one penny today and double it every day for 30 days? Ask them to explain their answers. Tell them you think they may change their mind after they hear the story you are going to read about doubling in mathematics!
Before you begin reading have students recall everything they know about India and it’s culture.

Activities

  1. Read One Grain of Rice.
  2. Have students figure out how much total rice she received without using the provided grid and without calculators.
  3. Have students figure out the total amount of rice using the grid but not the calculators.
  4. Now have the students use the grid and the calculators to figure out how much rice Rani received from the Raja.
  5. Optional: Have the students demonstrate doubling using the stamping part of Kid Pix up through day 7 or 8.

Assessment

The teacher will know that the students understand doubling by leading a follow up discussion. Ask the students now if they would choose $10,000 dollars now or receive one penny today and doubling it everyday for 30 days. Have them explain why! The attached worksheet can also be graded to assure understanding.

Supplemental information

Comments

I love to do this activity with my students because they are always so surprised to find out how much doubling can create!

North Carolina curriculum alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 5

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, such as:
      • fiction (tall tales, myths).
      • nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).
      • poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).
      • drama (plays and skits).

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: Number and Operations - The learner will understand and compute with non-negative rational numbers.
    • Objective 1.03: Develop flexibility in solving problems by selecting strategies and using mental computation, estimation, calculators or computers, and paper and pencil.

  • Common Core State Standards

    • Mathematics (2010)

      • Grade 4

        • Operations & Algebraic Thinking
          • 4.OAT.5Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself. For example, given the rule “Add 3” and the starting number 1, generate terms in the resulting sequence...

      • Grade 5

        • Number & Operations in Base Ten
          • 5.NO.5Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.