- Definition
Imagine sliding a shape across a surface without turning it or changing its size; that's a translation. The new shape you get is exactly the same as the original, just in a different spot.
Sliding a triangle 3 units to the right and 2 units up on a grid is a translation.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A translation is like sliding a piece in a sliding puzzle — it moves to a new spot but doesn't turn or flip.
Ask your child: If you slide your cup, what changes and what stays the same?
Common mix-up: Kids may think any movement is a translation, even a flip or turn. A true translation is just a slide, where the shape moves without rotating or changing its direction.
Examples
- Moving a chess piece forward three squares without turning it.
- Pushing a book straight across a table without rotating it.
translation is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
