Mini EN11
Ms. Vadacchino
The Cellist of Sarajevo
Numero uno: You teach the class
5 Discussion Questions – These must be interesting, thought-provoking, and open-ended. Your questions must
show me that you have considered big ideas and themes in the novel. These must be analyzing and evaluating
type questions from Bloom’s Taxonomy. The questions must provoke critical thinking. NO remembering or
understanding questions. All members of the group must facilitate the discussion.
/10 for quality of the questions /10 individual marks for quality of facilitation
1 In Class Assignment or Activity – Consider all the in class assignments I have given you over the years. This
assignment must deepen the class’s understanding of the novel, and must introduce a new element: a poem,
an article, a YouTube video, or some other source related to the novel. The class will actually complete this. It
should take no more than 20 minutes. /10
1 Take Home Assignment – This must be a much longer assignment: an essay or a project. Again, look back at
all the essays and projects I have given you and come up with something of your own. The students will not
complete this. /5
Numero due: The Cellist of Sarajevo – a Guide for Students
While I abhor the use of Sparknotes, I know many students use them. For this assignment you will create your
own, much superior version. You must include:
1. Summary of no more than 400 words
2. Historical Context
3. Character analysis
4. Themes
5. Symbols and metaphors
6. Structure
7. Important quotations explained
 You must make connections to texts we have studied – anything in the last three years.
 You must make connections to Social Studies.
 You must make connections to Science.
Here’s the kicker. For each of these elements, you must present your ideas in a creative way. NO ASPECT of
your guide (EXCEPT the Summary) can be written in the traditional, boring, straightforward style of Sparknotes
or whatever else is out there. I’m still looking for a very high level of analysis, synthesis, and comprehension,
but you must convey this in a surprising, delightful, and enlightening way. /40
TOTAL /75
65 group marks
10 individual marks