Liz, I wrote this after helping my 10th grader understand how to create a flow chart that described how to go from a chemical formula to a compound name and then back again for different kinds of chemical formulas. I sat with him at the table until midnight, trying to understand the whole thing myself so is could explain it to him. I had to read, research, take notes and do the assignment myself so I was equipped to teach him. All I could think about was that other kids did not get this kind of help. Turned out I was right. The teacher had to spend the next class explaining the assignment and walk the rest of the class through it. Was it a waste of time. Nope. I got to model how to attack a challenging problem for and with my son. We pressed on and through and reached understanding together. It was a bonding moment:).
Bless you!!