My Daughter’s Second-Grade Classroom Doesn’t Sound Very Academic. I’m Concerned.

Care and Feeding Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by zamrznutitonovi/iStock/Getty Images Plus. Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here. My daughter, “Kaia,” started second grade two months ago, and I’m hearing things about her teacher, “Ms. Hoover,” and what they’re doing in class that I don’t like. Kaia says Ms. Hoover has the kids using coloring books from the time class begins until the morning recess. Then it’s time for “silent reading,” where the kids read books they’ve checked out of the school library, all the way until lunch. After lunch recess, there’s “imagination time” where the kids are divided into groups of five or six and told to create a story together and then get up and share it with the rest of the class. As far as I can tell, there is no spelling, math, history, or any other core subject being taught. When I asked Kaia what her teacher does all this time, her answer was that she looks at her phone. Should my husband and I speak to Ms. Hoover directly, or would it be better to go straight to the principal? —Lacking for Learning Dear Lacking for Learning, Don’t go straight to the principal. Talk to the teacher first. And don’t go in guns blazing. Remember the source of your information is 7 years old. Also remember that a lot of elementary school is learning not just about hard subjects, but also about being a good friend and good person. Creating stories and presenting them sounds like a pretty good way to do this. Reach out to Ms. Hoover with an email. Introduce yourself and tell her that you’re excited for Kaia to be in second grade. Ask if she can give you an outline of what they’ll be “studying” so that you can know how best to help her with homework. If she doesn’t respond or her response is inadequate, you’ve got one more reason to disagree with her methods. Did you go to “back to school” night? Has there been a parent teacher conference yet? It’s great that you’re involved, and those are perfect opportunities for you to talk in person to Ms. Hoover. Don’t approach your meeting with the teacher as a “my daughter says” conversation. Just start asking about the curriculum, the rubrics by which the students will be evaluated, and what you should expect your daughter to know at the end of each unit. The most concerning part of your daughter’s recounting is that Ms. Hoover is on her phone all day. Unfortunately, that’s something you won’t be able to verify. I’d hold off on that one and wait a few months. If your daughter continues to report it, or if you hear from other parents that their kids are saying it, too, it’s time to ask the principal what the school policy is on phones in the classroom for both students and teachers. —Greg More Parenting Advice From Slate My daughter, “Elsa,” is 10 and has recently become interested in TikTok. So far, it’s harmless—my husband and I monitor what she looks at, she likes making silly videos, and it’s fun to make them together as a family. But I get worried about how it will be in a few years. Never miss new Slate Advice columns Get the latest from Prudie and our columnists in your inbox each weekday, plus special bonus letters on Saturdays. Advice Family Kids