This high school lesson plan, based on The Eighth Amendment: Cruel and Unusual Punishment film, engages students in exploring the concept of cruel and unusual punishment. Students will begin by brainstorming a list of punishments they believe fit this definition and explaining their reasoning. They will then analyze images of various punishment methods to determine whether they meet the constitutional standard. The lesson is largely student-driven, encouraging critical thinking as students examine the nature of punishment and take a position on whether the death penalty should be maintained or abolished.