This study focused on how to help students translate word problems so that they understand how to solve them, and so they are successful with word problems. I have created three research questions to focus on during this research project. First, how will direct instruction of word meaning help clarify the operation needed, affect the achievement when solving word problems? Second, how will using word meaning to decrease frustration affect the amount of work competed? Third, how will reading word problems aloud before students start the work affect completion? The data collection instruments that I used were pre/posttests on vocabulary, weekly quizzes, teacher observations, student surveys, student journals, and checklist. This research project was completed at Rosemore Middle School in Whitehall City Schools District, from March 2009 to June 2009. The focus was on my third period math class that meets everyday for forty-five minutes. This sixth grade math class has 23 students total. Appendices are included: (1) Word Meaning Pretest/Posttest; (2) Word Problem Quizzes; (3) Teacher Notes on Word Meaning; (4) Survey on Word Meaning; (5) Journal Writing Prompts; (6) Student Roster; (7) Survey on Read Aloud; and (8) Teacher Notes on Reading Aloud.