The Number Devil

Author: Enzensberger

Publisher/Date: Henry Holt and Company; 1998

ISBN: 0-8050-6299-8

Grade Levels Recommended for Use: 6-12

Brief Summary: Robert is irritated that his math instructor won't let him use a calculator on a set of word problems. However, the Number Devil shows up in Robert's dream to teach him helpful approaches to these word problems.

Topics: number sense; combinations, decimals, fractions, fractals

Suggested Activities

Assign the class a multi-layed word problem which involves three or more mathematical approaches and then ask them to answer it in groups. Combinations, decimals, fractions and fractals are some topics which could be explored.

Have students also create some of their own real world word problems. Students can share their word problems with the class or their groups.