That isn't how it is done at my school! I work as a Teacher's Aide in a Public middle school in my city..... there are about 900 students, grade 6-8, so about 250-300 in each grade.
The science and social studies classes typically have about 25 + in each classroom, and it is a mix of how the subjects are taught...... There may be some lecture, often with a power point presentation, with notes that they take, or fill in the blank notes, while the teacher discusses and explains it. This is often followed up in the next days with an activity (lab) or two on that same topic, with notes or diagrams that the students put into their "journal" .... (the journal is what they usually study for the tests from). Sometimes there will be a section from the book that they have to read and answer questions, or workbook pages on the topic. This all depends on the subject matter being taught. We just finished working on Speed formulas and graphs in science... a very tough subject for many of the students.
Last year I was in a 6th grade science class, and this year I am in an 8th grade science class......
This is also much of how the social studies classes are taught.. I've been in one particular teacher's Social Studies/History class for the last 3 years, and sometimes we work out of the book, sometimes we spend the entire class period discussing the material (he talks, asks questions, and engages the students in the discussion), and again, sometimes it is taking notes from a power point. Yes, there is some workbook/questions/vocabulary, but it sure isn't MOST of the lesson. I am also in 2 different 6th grade social studies classes this year, also, and much the same pattern is followed.... lots of class discussion, questioning the students, working on reading maps, some bookwork, some papers, but much more interactive. (6th grade is more of a World Geography, World cultures studies... 7th is Texas History, and 8th is US History, through about 1880 or so.....)
I'm sorry your daughter doesn't seem to be getting the "quality" education that you are apparently paying for.
(The reason I am in those classes is because I assist certain students throughout the day....I go to different classes all throughout the day... the students I assist are not usually the really bright ones.. they are the ones that are typically struggling with learning skills and other issues. The classes I am in are basic "core" classes, not GT/Honors classes.)