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.
This engaging 250-word reading passage introduces fourth-grade students to the fascinating world of light communication. Aligned with NGSS standard 4-PS4-3 and the Disciplinary Core Idea PS4.C, students explore how light waves carry information over long distances very quickly. The passage uses age-appropriate language to explain real-world examples including traffic lights that control vehicle movement, lighthouses that warn ships of danger, fiber optic cables that transmit internet data, and flashing signals used by emergency vehicles. Students learn that light can be turned on and off in patterns to create codes and messages, and that different colors of light can represent different meanings. The audio-integrated passage includes bolded vocabulary terms with immediate definitions, making complex scientific concepts accessible to fourth graders. Accompanying activities include multiple-choice questions testing recall and comprehension, writing prompts requiring students to explain and apply their understanding, and graphic organizers that help students categorize and compare different types of light communication. This comprehensive resource builds foundational understanding of how light waves function as a communication tool in everyday life, preparing students for hands-on investigations and deeper exploration of physical science concepts related to waves and information transfer.
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One way light communicates is through pedestrian lights. Image credit Pixabay.
Communication means sharing information with others. People communicate using words, but light can also send messages. Light waves are a form of energy that travels very fast and can carry information over long distances.
One way light communicates is through traffic lights. Red light means stop, yellow means slow down, and green means go. Drivers understand these light signals without hearing any words. Lighthouses use bright flashing lights to warn ships about dangerous rocks or shorelines. The pattern of flashes tells sailors where they are and helps them stay safe.
Fiber optic cables are thin glass threads that carry light signals. They work like pipes for light. When you watch a video online or make a phone call, information travels as light pulses through these cables. Light moves so fast that messages can travel across the country in less than a second. This is much faster than sending a letter in the mail.
Emergency vehicles use flashing red and blue lights to communicate urgency. When people see these lights, they know to move out of the way. Even a simple flashlight can send messages. People can turn it on and off in patterns to create codes, like Morse code, where different flashes represent different letters.
Light communication works because light travels quickly and can be seen from far away, making it perfect for sending important messages.