Learn
The Eighth Amendment in plain language
← Back to Bill of Rights topics← Back to LearnA civics adventure written for readers of all ages.
Start with a question
What makes a punishment cruel or unusual?
In brief
Punishment must be proportional, humane, and not excessive compared to the offense.
Questions to think about
- Why should punishment fit both the crime and the person?
- How do standards of decency change over time?
- Should kids be punished differently than adults? Why?
Try this
Review three school rule violations and craft fair consequences. Explain why each is proportional.
One thing to take away
State one principle courts use to judge whether a punishment is excessive.
Story bridge
Story bridge
In the book, the kids debate a consequence for breaking a promise. How did they decide what was fair?
Want the full civics adventure story behind these ideas? Visit the book site for more.
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