The Basics
Problems and Solutions…
Etopia Media, Inc. ) is devoted to the advancement of literacy throughout the United States . AAccording to the U.S. Department of Education, 54% of U.S. adults 16-74 years old – about 130 million people – lack proficiency in literacy, reading below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level. Etopia has three central focuses: free distribution of published works targeted specifically to young adults; educational presentations promoting literacy in a tour of secondary schools nationwide; a channel designated to in-depth exploration of reading and writing topics, including vocabulary expansion and grammar.
In addition to distribution of electronic and physical copies of works, Etopia offers access to select literature through its designated website. Etopia produces, acquires, and publishes music as an accessory to literary works. These projects are known as booktracks.
The Need for Diversity
Bridging worlds apart…
The content and characters of young adult books—and novels in general—do not reflect the shifting population demographics. There is a great need to reflect the growing diversity of the U.S. to reel in diverse readers.
Racial and ethnic minorities make up 39 percent of the U.S. population, and they are the majority of children born today.
Etopia produces and acquires literary works with a primary focus on coming-of-age stories which emphasize racial and class diversity. We believe that it is equally as important for all people to see their cultures in works of literature as it is for all people to become acquainted with other cultures through the reading experience. We recognize that as we become more exposed to other cultures, we become more tolerant of them. For many, it is not readily available in our present condition. Thus, our literary works are meant to transport.
The Bottom Line
More than entertainment…
Etopia is not devoted to teaching people what to think but how to think.
“The thinking process requires prior knowledge, the memory of it, and the use of that prior knowledge. Thinking can, in fact, be limited by lack of experience and knowledge. The thinking process also requires language to formulate and express thoughts as well as the ability to develop representations of knowledge and concepts (French, J. & Rhoder, C.1992).
Over the past few years there has been an increasing interest in incorporating thinking instruction into elementary curriculum, largely for three reasons. There is a growing awareness, first, that we have many students who are not thinking effectively; second, there is a widespread conviction that effective thinking is a non-negotiable item in today’s world; and, third, we are accumulating a growing body of knowledge and research in this area which can be put to use in our schools.
From the above discussing, we consider that thinking requires experience, knowledge and language to express thoughts and reading is the process of constructing meaning and comprehension.”
Critical thinking is severely lacking as a foundation in much of our personal and national conversations. Here at Etopia, we are aware of that and determined to help form a generation of thoughtful individuals across the country and the world.
