Suggest several math activities using the simple technique of tapping a sugar maple tree for sap. Information and activities presented are useful in tapping one or two trees on school property, helping students who tap trees at home, or leading a field trip to a nearby maple sugaring site. (ERB)

Comments on bells throughout history are noted. 'Change-ringing,' focusing on the sequence in which bells are rung, is then explored. (MNS)

How probabilities change when playing the game of craps with dice having 8, 12, or 20 faces is discussed. Five challenge questions are also included. (MNS)

Decimal expansions of fractions are considered. Theorems and corollaries for some properties and for prime and composite denominators are presented. It is suggested that students write computer programs to deliver decimal expansions. (MNS)

Some lesson ideas with magic squares are given. The parametric form of three-by-three and four-by-four squares are each discussed and a worksheet is included on doing and making magic squares. (MNS)

Teachers can partially remedy misconceptions and anxiety about mathematics by incorporating a historical perspective into mathematics teaching. Numerous examples of how this can be done are presented, along with ideas illustrating the growth and evolution of mathematical ideas. (MNS)

A method used by the ancient Babylonians to solve quadratic equations is presented. Illustrations are included from one Babylonian tablet. (MNS)

Retells the old story of the inventor of the chessboard who, as reward, is granted as much wheat as it takes to fill the 64 squares of the board, doubling the number of grains for each square. (WM)

Given two interesecting lines, the "pencil" of this interesection is the family of all lines passing through the point of intersection. Presented is a characterization of all lines both in the plane and lying in opposite sectors of the plane as determined by one of the original intersecting lines. (JP)