What is a Compendium?

com pen di um : A short, complete summary; an abstract. A list or collection of various items. [Latin, a shortening, from compendere, to weigh together]

Why this list?

The Advisory has recommended the following book as the primary resource for Year 5 and 6's study on 20th Century history: What Everyone Should Know About the 20th Century: 200 Events That Shaped the World by Alan Axelrod, Charles Phillips. This book is OOP (Out of Print) and due to the demand by Ambleside Online scholars, used booksellers are selling this book for 3-4 times it's original published price ($12.00 US/$16.95 CAN). This is out of reach by most AO families and the Advisory has yet to find another book suitable for children that studies this period. The author's, Dr. Axelrod and Mr. Phillips, have written a similar book which is currently in print and entitled, What Every American Should Know About the 20th Century: 200 Events That Shaped the Nation. Upon close inspection, this book which retails for $14.95 and is available through Adams Media Corporation as well as used booksellers, covers many of the same chapters. However, approximately 14 chapters assigned to Year 5/6 students are missing from the American Events book. So with the Advisory's permission, we have compiled a listing of optional resources to assist parents in studying this period should they choose to purchase the American Events book and follow the suggested reading schedule on the Ambleside Online website.

Note: Please note that you are free to choose another book that covers the same period. You do not have to use our resource information nor do you have to use either Axelrod and Phillips books. We have listed the topics for each year below to guide you in your planning and to allow you to use other books which cover the same material.

Precautionary Note from the Advisory Board on using this book:

"What Everyone Should Know About the 20th Century: 200 Events That Shaped the World by Alan Axelrod, Charles Phillips, selected chapters (The Advisory did not feel that there was an adequate children's level book available on the 20th century. Parents should realize that chapters *not* selected may have material deemed unacceptable for their family, and they should keep that in mind when giving the book to their children. Parents may wish to read surrounding chapters to the chapters assigned. For instance, the chapter about the Moon Walk concludes on the page that a chapter on Woodstock begins. The Advisory did try to note any questionable wording in the chapters recommended. Parents should preview chapters where possible, as the author occasionally displays a bias that would not be acceptable to all families) This book has no photos - Parents are encouraged to select appropriate [non-graphic] photos of the century to show to their children, *after* they have read about the events ahead of time, in their context.)" - Ambleside Online Advisory Board

How to Use this List

Option 1:

Purchase or obtain the What Everyone Should Know About the 20th Century: 200 Events That Shaped the World by Alan Axelrod and Charles Phillips and read along using the suggested course outline on the Ambleside Online Year 5 and/or Year 6 schedule. Try here: Ebay or another used book source. If you desire to study further, click on the highlighted link to see some resources that pertain to each selected topic.

Option 2:

Purchase or obtain the What Every American Should Know About the 20th Century: 200 Events That Shaped the Nation book from either Adams Media Corporation or another bookseller. Read the suggested course outline on the Ambleside Online Year 5 and/or Year 6 schedule AND supplement where necessary by seeing the linked pages for resource and reference information. Try here: Adams Media Corporation or use Ebay or another used book source.

Option 3:

You may pick and choose those topics of interest to your student or match the topic discussion to another source you may already have on hand. You may also wish to see the linked pages for resource and reference information to further your study into this period.

Year 5

Year 6

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Questions pertaining to the Ambleside Online Year 5 and/or Year 6 curriculum should be addressed to the Ambleside Group List here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmblesideOnline