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Bike Shop 3-5 / Week 10 / Thursday
4/6
Week 10 · Fixing a Flat

Thursday

Patch it up
// Leak detectives at work
⏱ about 15 min

Thursday: Patch It Up

Rocket grabs a strip of tape. "I will just stick this over the hole!"

He pumps air in. The tape puffs up and pops right off.

Raven laughs kindly. "Great test! What do you notice about the edges?"

Nova hovers over the tape. "A patch must hold tight all around," she says. "What could help it stick?"

Rocket smiles. "So my mistake taught us something!"

How a grown-up patches a tube

A grown-up uses a patch kit. You watch and help them remember the steps.

First they sand the area around the hole.

Next they spread a thin layer of glue around the hole.

The glue spot is bigger than the patch.

They let the glue dry completely.

Then they press the patch on firmly, especially at the edges.

PATCH STEPS
  • ?Let the glue dry completely.
  • ?Press hard at the edges.
  • ?Press the patch on firmly.
  • ?Spread a thin layer of glue.
  • ?Sand around the hole.
WHY THIS EXERCISESand, glue, dry, then press the patch, with extra care at the edges.
PATCH QUESTIONS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Should the glue spot be bigger or smaller than the patch?
When does the patch go on?
Why did Rocket's tape pop off?
For a grown-up
Follow the directions that come with your patch kit.
You handle the sandpaper and glue. Let your child call out each step.
Safety first
A grown-up handles the sandpaper, glue and tools.
You watch and read the steps out loud.
Try it
Make a paper patch model with a paper tube and a sticker.
Draw a dot for the hole.
Draw a circle bigger than your sticker around the dot. That is the glue spot.
Press the sticker on. Rub the edges well.
No sticker? Tape a paper square and press its edges.
First, a grown-up ____ the area around the hole.
The patch must be pressed hard at the ____.
StatementTrue or false?
The glue should dry completely before the patch goes on.?
The glue spot should be smaller than the patch.?
Kids handle the glue and sandpaper.?
Rocket's tape test taught everyone something.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEThe glue spot is bigger than the patch, and a grown-up does the work.

Patch pros! Tomorrow the tire goes back on, and we test our fix.

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