Patterns That Carry a Message is a free printable Grade 4 science worksheet on comparing solutions that use patterns to transfer information, aligned to Common Core standard 4-PS4-3. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1.Which is more reliable over a long distance at night?
A.A pattern of bright flashes
B.A pattern of small taps
C.A whispered pattern
2.Which of these transfers information by a pattern?
A.A drum beaten in a rhythm that means 'come here'
B.A drum left silent
C.A drum beaten at random
3.Why must both people know the code before it is used?
A.To save the battery
B.To be polite
C.Otherwise the pattern carries no meaning to the receiver
4.A message arrives with one flash missing. What can happen?
A.Nothing changes
B.The message gets shorter
C.The pattern is misread, so the information is wrong
5.Why is a pattern better than a single signal for sending words?
A.Patterns are prettier
B.Single signals are illegal
C.Different patterns can stand for different things
6.Long and short flashes stand for letters. What makes that a code?
A.The brightness
B.An agreed pattern that stands for information
C.The colour of the torch
7.Why do some codes repeat each message twice?
A.So a missed part can be caught the second time
B.To use more battery
C.To fill time
8.Two designs send the same message. How would you compare them?
A.Ask which looks better
B.Measure which is heavier
C.Count how often the message arrives correctly
LessonPrint · 4-PS4-3 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Patterns That Carry a Message
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.A pattern of bright flashes
2.A drum beaten in a rhythm that means 'come here'
3.Otherwise the pattern carries no meaning to the receiver
4.The pattern is misread, so the information is wrong
5.Different patterns can stand for different things
6.An agreed pattern that stands for information
7.So a missed part can be caught the second time
8.Count how often the message arrives correctly
Questions about Patterns That Carry a Message
What does the Patterns That Carry a Message worksheet cover?
It practises comparing solutions that use patterns to transfer information — 8 questions for Grade 4, all on Common Core 4-PS4-3: Compare designs that use patterns to send information. The instruction to pupils is “Circle the best answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Patterns That Carry a Message practise?
4-PS4-3 — 4-PS4-3, in the Physical Science domain for Grade 4. The published standard reads: “Generate and compare multiple solutions that use patterns to transfer information.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Patterns That Carry a Message is written for Grade 4, typically ages 9-10. It is one of the sheets on 4-PS4-3, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Patterns That Carry a Message come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Patterns That Carry a Message can I print?
25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Patterns That Carry a Message free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Patterns That Carry a Message, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
Is there a lesson plan to teach 4-PS4-3?
Yes — “Patterns That Carry a Message” is a 55-minute Grade 4 plan for 4-PS4-3, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Patterns That Carry a Message is the practice that follows it.
More practice for 4-PS4-3
Compare designs that use patterns to send information.