1. Well, okay-- our experiences/recollections are about a time when educational philosophy was substantially different here. Two observations about that.
a) recall that the 'teacher/lecturer' model out-and-out FAILED about as many kids as it suited-- makes sense when you consider that the only kids who are really suited to that model are the auditory/visual learners among them, and
b) kids DO NOT all 'just absorb' how to do things like read for content (not pleasure) and take notes. Yes, this is a primary study skill. It is now being taught overtly prior to high school... and yes, it is slow, and yes, it is something that many kids struggle to learn and apply. Even gifted kids, who may actually not see much point in this activity at this level (where they can "remember" everything WITHOUT doing anything in particular).
The simple worksheets, ugh. Yes it is typical, but NO it is not "good practice" in any way, shape, or form. Yuck. On the subject of why classrooms look less like we recall them, though, there is a concept in education that is called "flipping" the classroom. That is, it reserves class time for THINKING/discussion/problem-solving/applications, not "learning the nuts and bolts" which can theoretically be done ahead of class time. Most college classes have always relied upon some form of flipped classroom, though college STUDENTS have often resisted and not noticed what we were trying to do there. {sigh}
2. Little homework could mean a lot of things. Are your kids doing it IN class? Possible, if they are operating at a level beyond their classmates. Not a good sign otherwise, though-- particularly in math.
3. Science instruction has gotten skimpy. It's now a mile wide and an inch deep, all the way from K through 12. I say that as a scientist and science educator. It's PAINFUL. I truly wish that rather than doing all of this "watching" of flashy multimedia stuff, they'd do some SIMPLE directed experimental design and actually, you know... USE the scientific method to explore something. I've seen this about half a dozen times in my DD's grades 3-12 experiences, by the way, so I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. AP Physics has been as good as it's gotten, and she's done her own experimental design there about 3 times this year.
