Where did my patience go?
Theories in no particular order:
Theory A: engaging in plot development for nanowrimo put me in "accelerated muse" mode, and even though I barely touched that mental space yesterday, it takes serious time to adjust from "manic creativity" to patient tutoring mode.

Theory B: The gap between student knowledge and what they're supposed to know is wider this semester for some reason.

Theory C: The gap appears wider and is rendered thus by the increased stressors of the year, which are pervasive. (Supporting evidence: the student who didn't know how to subtract 48 from 50 missed last week because of an all-over-the-news gut-wrenching nightmare that was real.)

I don't know, but desperately seeking cures. My first attempt -- be really, really, really, really patient -- can't do it without that little edge that says all too loudly "I HAVE TO GO THIS SLOWLY ?!?!?!? YOU DON"T KNOW THIS ?!?!?" and, um, that is exactly the worst thing to do. Succeeded a bit angling at the "gonna find a way to do this" approach... and good old fashioned prayer.

Theory D: it's not patience at all, but that I'm following the "if they don't get it just slow down" recipe which denies an awful lot of training and experience. Do I need to go find a way to hang out with other multisensory instructors for a while?