A rice baby is made by filling a stocking with rice until the weight of the rice approximates the weight of a given child at birth. The primary focus of the Rice Babies unit is measurement and has been most successful when taught as an initial unit at the beginning of school. Below are examples of activities that incorporate Rice Babies into different curriculum areas. Children keep a daily journal of their Rice Babies' activities. Children write letter to grandparents asking grandparent to write back describing the grandparent's favorite memory of the child related to the child's early life.
Children visit nursery of local hospital and complete language experience activity related to trip.
Children read stories to their babies. A birth announcement can be the focus of a writing lesson. Who, What, When, Why, Where and How. Art can be integrated into the activity by designing the cover for the announcement. A photograph can be taken of each student and their rice baby.