Grade 4
Waves and Messages
Wave patterns, amplitude, wavelength, and information transfer using patterns.
4-PS4-1, 4-PS4-3
2 lessons
150 quiz questions
Lesson 1: Wave Patterns
Describe waves using repeated patterns.
Learning goals
- Identify waves as repeating patterns.
- Compare wave height and spacing.
- Use models to describe waves.
Waves repeat
A wave is a repeating disturbance that transfers energy. Water waves, sound waves, and light waves can be described using patterns.
Amplitude and wavelength
Amplitude describes wave height. Wavelength describes the distance from one wave crest to the next crest.
Lesson 2: Information in Patterns
Explore how patterns can carry information.
Learning goals
- Explain that patterns can encode messages.
- Compare ways people send information.
- Design a simple pattern-based message.
Patterns can mean something
People use patterns to send information. Examples include drum beats, flashing lights, Morse code, barcodes, and digital signals.
Sending and receiving
A message needs a sender, a signal, and a receiver. The receiver must understand the pattern to decode the message.