How Do Cell Phones Send Messages — Reading Comprehension
Premium Resource
Grades
- 3
- 4
- 5
Standards
- NGSS 4-PS4-3
PRINT+DIGITAL RESOURCE
This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksheet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
About This Reader
This engaging 250-word reading passage introduces fourth-grade students to the fascinating process of how cell phones send messages. Aligned with NGSS 4-PS4-3 and the Disciplinary Core Idea PS4.C, the passage explains that digitized signals sent as wave pulses can be used to encode and transmit information. Students discover how cell phones convert voice or text into digital signals, which are then transmitted as radio waves to nearby cell towers. The passage describes the journey of these signals through a network of towers and cables until they reach the recipient's phone, where they are converted back into sound or text. Written at an appropriate reading level for Grade 4, this audio-integrated passage uses simple language and real-world examples to help students understand that their messages travel as waves carrying encoded information. The content builds foundational understanding of digital communication technology, preparing students for hands-on activities and investigations. Supplementary materials include a simplified differentiated version, Spanish translations, glossary, multiple-choice quiz, writing activities, and graphic organizers. This comprehensive resource supports diverse learners while maintaining alignment with NGSS physical science standards for elementary students studying waves and information transfer.
Perfect For:
👩🏫 Teachers
- • Reading comprehension practice
- • Auto-graded assessments
- • Literacy skill development
👨👩👧👦 Parents
- • Reading practice at home
- • Comprehension improvement
- • Educational reading time
🏠 Homeschoolers
- • Reading curriculum support
- • Independent reading practice
- • Progress monitoring
Reading Features:
📖
Reading Passage
Engaging fiction or nonfiction text
❓
Comprehension Quiz
Auto-graded questions
📊
Instant Feedback
Immediate results and scoring
📄
Printable Version
Download for offline reading
🔊
Read Aloud
Voice-over with word highlighting
