Translation Station Teacher Guide The Translation Station
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Grade 6 Mathematics
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Objective: Translate verbal phrases to math
Materials Checklist
Student Translation Logs
Anchor Chart (Cheat Sheet)
Station Cards (10 Phrases)
Video Presentation Slides
Exit Tickets
Scrap Paper for Warm-up
Video Guide & Pauses
Pause 1: 1:35 (The "Decreased By" Challenge)
Ask: "How would you write 'x decreased by 12'?" Let them whisper to a partner before hitting play.
Pause 2: 2:30 (The "Less Than" Misconception)
CRITICAL: Ask for "x less than 7". Predict how many will write \(x-7\) vs \(7-x\). Explain that "less than" is a "turn-around" phrase.
Pause 3: 3:30 (The Cheat Sheet)
Have students copy the chart onto their worksheets. This is their reference for the activity.
Misconception Alert
Students often translate literally from left-to-right.
Incorrect: "8 less than n" → \(8 - n\)Correct: "8 less than n" → \(n - 8\)
Remind them: "Less than" means you take away FROM the second number.
Vocabulary Focus
Sum: Result of additionDifference: Result of subtractionProduct: Result of multiplicationQuotient: Result of divisionVariable: The unknown letter
Station Setup & Key
Place the Station Cards around the room. Students move in pairs or small groups. They must record both the verbal phrase and the mathematical expression.
No. Verbal Phrase Algebraic Expression (Key) 1 "The sum of a number n and 14" n + 14 2 "9 less than a number k" k - 9 3 "The product of 8 and x" 8x or 8(x) or 8•x 4 "The quotient of m and 3" m ÷ 3 or m/3 5 "A number y decreased by 20" y - 20 6 "15 more than a number w" w + 15 7 "Twice a number b" 2b 8 "The difference between 12 and n" 12 - n 9 "A number p divided by 10" p/10 or p ÷ 10 10 "The sum of x and y" x + y
Exit Ticket Key
Prompt: Translate "The quotient of a number x and 5" into math symbols.Correct Answer: x/5 or x ÷ 5.
Translation Station Slides Grade 6 Math
THE TRANSLATION STATION
Turning words into mathematical power.
Algebraic Expressions
Warm-Up: Math Synonyms
In your groups, brainstorm as many words as you can for each operation!
Addition
Example: "Sum", "Plus"
Subtraction
Example: "Difference", "Minus"
Multiplication
Example: "Product", "Times"
Division
Example: "Quotient", "Split"
You have 5 Minutes! Go!
Watch & Learn
Listen for keywords and look for the "Cheat Sheet" chart.
Embedded media
Pause Point #1
How would you write the mathematical expression for:
"x decreased by 12"
Whisper your answer to a partner!
Pause Point #2
Think carefully about the order...
"x less than 7"
Is it x - 7 or 7 - x?
Why does the order matter here?
The Expression Cheat Sheet
Copy this table into your Translation Log notes!
Notes Time: 5 Min
Sum
• Plus
• More than
• Increased by
• Added to
Difference
• Minus
• Less than
• Decreased by
• Subtracted from
Product
• Times
• Twice (2x)
• Of
• Multiplied by
Quotient
• Divided by
• Per
• Ratio of
• Out of
Activity: The Translation Station
Translate the phrases posted around the room.
1
Visit each of the 10 stations around the room.
2
Write the verbal phrase from the card onto your log.
3
Translate it into an algebraic expression using your Cheat Sheet.
4
Wait for the signal to rotate to the next station!
Work with your Partner
Use your Notes
Translation Log Worksheet Translation Log
Expression Expert
NAME DATE
01. Math Synonym Brainstorm
ADD (+)
SUBTRACT (-)
MULTIPLY (x)
DIVIDE (÷)
02. Expression Cheat Sheet (from Video)
Sum (+)
Difference (-)
Product (x)
Quotient (÷)
03. The Translation Stations
# Verbal Phrase Mathematical Expression 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Translation Key Anchor Chart Expression Expert
TRANSLATION CHEAT SHEET
SUM
plus
more than
increased by
added to
Example
n + 5
DIFFERENCE
minus
less than*
decreased by
subtracted from
Example
7 - x (x less than 7)
PRODUCT
times
twice (2x)
of
multiplied by
Multiplication Notations
8x • 8(x) • 8·x
QUOTIENT
divided by
per
ratio of
out of
Division Notations
x/5 • x ÷ 5
Watch Out for Turn-Around Phrases!
"Less than" and "Subtracted from" mean the order of numbers must SWAP in your expression.
Translation Station Cards 1
The Translation Station
"The sum of a number n and 14"
Translate to Math Symbols
2
* Turn-Around Alert *
"9 less than a number k"
Translate to Math Symbols
3
The Translation Station
"The product of 8 and x"
Translate to Math Symbols
4
The Translation Station
"The quotient of m and 3"
Translate to Math Symbols
5
The Translation Station
"A number y decreased by 20"
Translate to Math Symbols
6
The Translation Station
"15 more than a number w"
Translate to Math Symbols
7
The Translation Station
"Twice a number b"
Translate to Math Symbols
8
The Translation Station
"The difference between 12 and n"
Translate to Math Symbols
9
The Translation Station
"A number p divided by 10"
Translate to Math Symbols
10
The Translation Station
"The sum of x and y"
Translate to Math Symbols
Translation Exit Ticket Exit Ticket
Final Translation
Grade 6 Math
Translate the following phrase into mathematical symbols:
"The quotient of a number x and 5"
EXPRESSION
NAME
Key
Exit Ticket
Final Translation
Grade 6 Math
Translate the following phrase into mathematical symbols:
"The quotient of a number x and 5"
EXPRESSION
NAME
Key
Exit Ticket
Final Translation
Grade 6 Math
Translate the following phrase into mathematical symbols:
"The quotient of a number x and 5"
EXPRESSION
NAME
Key
Exit Ticket
Final Translation
Grade 6 Math
Translate the following phrase into mathematical symbols:
"The quotient of a number x and 5"
EXPRESSION
NAME
Key
