THE CELLIST OF SARAJEVO
“There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief,
that does not find relief in music.”
~George Eliot (1819-1880), The Mill on the Floss, 1860
EDMODO WEBSITE http://www.edmodo.com/ & GROUP CODE: ____________________________
The Cellist of Sarajevo, written by Vancouver author, Steven Galloway, explores the persistence of the
human spirit amidst the conflict of war. Based on the siege of Sarajevo in the early 1990s, Galloway
centers his tale on the impact of Vedran Smailović, the renowned musician who played for 22 straight
days in war-torn Sarajevo commemorating the 22 lives lost when buying bread. Despite this inspiring
historical attribution, the novel is predominantly fiction as it follows the perspectives of three Bosnian
citizens in their attempt to survive the unstable conditions of their homeland.
SUMMARY OF EXPECTATIONS:
For the purposes of this class, we will be exploring The Cellist of Sarajevo through Jigsaw co-operative
learning groups (which consists of both expert and sharing/learning groups) and “blogging” with an
emphasis on quotation selection and literary significance. Please be aware that your independent
reading and active participation are essential to be successful in this unit.
“NOTES” COMPONENT
(TOTAL 50 MARKS):
If you have ever searched for a summary of a
book, you may have looked at Coles Notes,
BookRags or SparkNotes among other online
competitors. Though such books and sites
are perhaps helpful starting points, they are
not reputable in the literary world. Until now.
You will be asked to create your own version
of “notes” for the book, The Cellist of Sarajevo
by exploring the plot development,
characters, themes and stylistic inclusions.
Here’s how.
BREAKDOWN OF TASK:
PART A: Once you are in your Jigsaw expert groups (attached), you will each choose one of the following
sections to complete for your group “Notes”. First, your group will choose an original name for your
“notes”. E.g. SharpNotes (reference to music & intelligence) Then you will write one page (12 pt. typed)
on one of the sections below. Each group member will sign up for only one of the following:
TASK
DESCRIPTION
CONTEXT
Background about author &
Vedran Smailović, History of the
Sarajevo conflict (Research and
MLA citations are required)
Trace 5 important themes,
symbols and motifs and explain
the significance. You should also
include an image/visual for each.
Include a brief description of the
characters in the text and explain
their importance.
Create min. 3 comprehension
and 3 thought-provoking
questions/discussion topics WITH
detailed answers. NOTE: Quality
questions will be used on the
self-created quiz!
Research 3 texts (e.g. newspaper
article, book, critic’s review etc.)
that coincide with themes/plot in
The Cellist of Sarajevo and
explain why they are worth
reading
THEMES, MOTIFS, SYMBOLS
CHARACTER LIST
STUDY QUESTIONS &
DISCUSSION TOPICS
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER
READING
NAME (Sign-up)
NOTE: The above is completed independently but submitted as a group via the assignment section on
Edmodo. You must include your name on your completed section and hand in one document.
Otherwise, you may wish to combine your information with your group members and submit a hardcopy booklet to me (See exemplar). (10 marks each)
PART B: IMPORTANT QUOTATIONS EXPLAINED (A.K.A. Literary Significance):
In groups, you will be focusing on finding significant quotations in the section of your assigned character.
(For example, if you are Dragan, you will look for quotations only in the “Dragan” sections of text.)
The quotations chosen must be significant to the development of character, plot, theme or style as per
your Literary Significance handout. Although you are responsible for finding quotations for either
(a), plot and theme, or, (b), style and character, you may do more than required.
You will have the opportunity to find these relevant quotations on Day 2 with your specialty group.
Everyone in the group must have notes about your literary significance information as you will divide
and present it to members of other groups on Day 3. You will have 5 min. each to explain your
quotation’s context, analysis and significance in the text to other groups.
On Day 3, you will also need to take notes on the information you hear from other groups as I may
collect notes at any time. This information is also a major component of your unit test and possibly your
exam as well. (20 MARKS)
Additionally, as a group you will be responsible to create 3 comprehension (in multiple choice or T/F
format) and 3 short-answer questions (with answers) that may be used on your self-created quiz. These
must be completed by April 25th at the very latest, but they may be handed in sooner (Chps. 1 & 2).
PART C: RESPONSE: After presenting the information to one another and having 10 min. of question
time, you will choose from the list of journal topics below and submit one on the Edmodo wall to share
with members of the class. The critical response/blog should be about 150 words and in paragraph
format (topic sentence, supporting points, proof, concluding sentence). Be sure to be coherent and
clear. If you do not finish in class, you will need to complete it at home or at a library. (10 MARKS)
PART D: After the quiz on Friday April 27th, you will have the opportunity to respond to two other
entries from your peers in the class using Edmodo. Each response should be between 50-100 words at
minimum and should be a critical analysis of the original. (5 MARKS X 2= 10 MARKS)
PART E: To assess your understanding as you read this novel independently, please expect some short
comprehension-based quizzes/questions at the beginning of class from time-to-time. Your teacher may
or may not provide you with notice so it is best to keep up-to-date with your daily reading.
PART A-D RUBRIC TO FOLLOW
JIGSAW
EXPERT GROUPS
GROUP
(DAY 1 & 2)
1--DRAGAN
2--DRAGAN
3--KENAN
4--KENAN
5--ARROW
6--ARROW
RESPONSIBILITY
CONTEXT+ LIT. SIGNIFICANCE: PLOT,
THEME
CONTEXT+ LIT. SIGNIFICANCE: STYLE,
CHARACTER
CONTEXT+ LIT. SIGNIFICANCE: PLOT,
THEME
CONTEXT+ LIT. SIGNIFICANCE: STYLE,
CHARACTER
CONTEXT+ LIT. SIGNIFICANCE: PLOT,
THEME
CONTEXT+ LIT. SIGNIFICANCE: STYLE,
CHARACTER
NAMES
SHARING/LEARNING GROUPS
NEW
GROUP
(DAY 3)
A—
NAMES
NAMES
NAMES
DRAGAN—
KENAN—
ARROW—
B—
DRAGAN—
KENAN—
ARROW—
C—
DRAGAN—
KENAN—
ARROW—
SCHEDULE
DAY 1
Independent Reading
(Some class time to catchup/review text that was being
read)
THURSDAY APRIL 12 CHP. 1 & 2
TUESDAY APRIL 24 CHP. 2
MONDAY APRIL 30 CHP. 3 & 4
DAY 2
Analysis (Context & Lit.
Significance assigned)+ 3
comprehension and short answer
questions each, with answers
WEDNESDAY APRIL 18 (P. 9-110)
WEDNESDAY APRIL 25 (P. 111175)
TUESDAY MAY 1 (P. 176-258)
DAY 3
Group sharing (5 min. Max per
person) & “--Notes” work period
(Responses due the following day
at latest)
FRIDAY APRIL 20 (PART A)
THURSDAY APRIL 26 (PART B)
WEDNESDAY MAY 2 (PART C)
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:




Self-made Comprehension Quiz (Chps. 1 & 2)-- Friday April 27th
Part D (Response)-- Friday April 27th
Review & learning consolidation—Friday May 4th
Unit test (Lit. Significance)—Tuesday May 8th
**IMPORTANT**Novels must be returned by Friday May 4th to be given to another class
NOTE BEFORE: Because time is of the essence and other classes will need the class copy of our novels shortly, you
will need to read at an expedited pace, which is not unfathomable for a senior level English class. In fact, in
university, you will be expected to come to class weekly with your readings complete. You
will be given one class period per section (Day 1) as a “catch up”/review day for the section
of pages you will analyze on (Day 2). You will need to have read the section of pages
outlined above for (Day 2) or marks will be deducted. Please keep in mind you will be
reading your CPT novels concurrently, so it is highly recommended you use your class-time
wisely and read ahead whenever possible. I have outlined one possible way to manage
your time on the updated calendar attached.
There are also a number of audio versions online and at your local library to help you with
the reading process. Please see me or a librarian for more information.