In my Year R/1 class there are 29 children of mixed ability. My aim was to use the Pixie to teach Year 1 children the number bonds to ten. I also used a number track, soft toy, the Pixie Playground, treasure map grid, program cards with Pixie arrows, number cards from 0 to 10 and plain pieces of card to jot on.

It soon became apparent when we were using the track that the 10 cm spacing between the 'ladders' was not right. The spacing needs to be 11 cm, as that is the length of the Pixie!
Editor's note: Introducing the Pixie to a Reception Class has a number track (Publisher 98) and program cards (Word 97) for download.

Session one
The first step was to teach the children how to program the Pixie to move forwards using the correct keys. This featured one-to-one matching in counting up to ten. The number track had the numbers 0 -10 laid in the right order by the children, starting with 0 at the bottom of the track. They programmed the Pixie to move to a given number on the track.

The children then moved the Pixie back manually to the start of the track after their go. Even the poor learners picked this up very quickly, but they did forget to clear the memory and needed reminding.

Session two
The children then had to learn how to program the Pixie to get from any given number to the number ten. They chose a number card then placed the Pixie on the track number. Then they guessed or counted on, up to ten. At first they were happy to guess the number, then try it out, but as soon as Virginia started to count on they began to copy: "2 and 8 more makes 10". This naturally led to why this method was easier and more accurate. We were able to start talking about number pairs and their relationship to ten. At this stage no child could quote bonds that made ten from memory.

Session three
The next stage was to start the Pixie on the beginning of the track, on 0. The children had to state two numbers that might make ten, using previous knowledge. At this stage the children were beginning to recognise the number bonds because they were counting on. Only one child was able to pair some of the numbers mentally. The Pixie made this activity non-threatening. If they were wrong they could have another go. They were able to have a guess and try it out. They could see if the pair had been successful if the Pixie sat on the number ten. Only those children who were able to understand the pairing of numbers to ten moved onto the next session.

Session four
As the children were beginning to see the number bonds, the next stage was to use their knowledge and test it. We used the Pixie to count back from ten. We placed the Pixie robot on ten and then programmed it to move backwards to land on a given number (10 - ? = 6). The children could see if their bond was correct.

At first they guessed, then counted back. Then, with reminders, they began to use their knowledge of number bonds to find the missing number (6 and 4 always make 10). Throughout this activity we were able to reinforce the number bonds and test them.

Session five
Next we worked on gathering number cards that made ten. At first, cards were placed on the track in the correct order. When all could manage this activity, the numbers on the track were muddled. We needed all the digit cards to ten plus another number 5 (so that the bond 5 and 5 could be made).

The group needed to program Pixie to collect the card pairs that would make ten by getting Pixie Postman to pause on each number bond. If they were successful they won the pairs to keep. Any mistake and they had to place the cards back down again. This was a very easy way to check who knew their number bonds mentally.

The finale
Finally the group used the Pixie to collect number bonds that were muddled on a treasure map. They needed to program Pixie to move in all directions to collect the pairs of cards. They started to write down the programs so that they could correct errors and follow other children's instructions. By this stage it was clear who knew their number bonds and who still needed reinforcement activities.

What we thought
The Pixie was a very useful tool in teaching the number bonds to ten and the children really enjoyed using it. It does need a small group and an adult helper who has been well briefed. Here are some of the children's views:

Tim	I thought it was good because when I pressed it, it moved left and right.
Roger	It was fun.
Lesley	It picked cards.
Virginia	I thought it was good for numbers.
Paul	I liked it when we used the digital camera and the Pixie.
Ian	I liked it when it moved to the numbers.