Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

Lesson 19
Competency: Compare and contrast comets, meteors, and asteroids.
I. Objectives:
1. Compare the characteristics of these Near Earth Objects (NEO's),
comets, meteors, and asteroids.
2. Briefly describe their origin and its interaction in the solar system.
II. Topic: Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids.
III. Resources Needed: PC, DLP
IV. References: Learner's Module, CG page 48
V. Preliminary Activity/Priming:
Picture Analysis
Direction: Identify the pictures describe each.

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

Activity:
Direction: Place an X in the appropriate boxes to indicate characteristics of
asteroids, comets, and meteors.

CHARACTERISTICS

Appears as a streak
in the sky
Frozen ball of dust
Is visible in our sky
Made up of rock
Orbits the Sun
Orbits between
Jupiter and Mars
Often called
Shooting Stars
Usually burns up the
Earths atmosphere

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

VII. Analysis:
1. Has Earth ever been hit by a comet or an asteroid?
2. If yes, how have such impacts affected Earth?
3. How often does a comet or an asteroid hit Earth?
VIII. Abstraction:
A near-Earth object (NEO) is any small Solar System body whose orbit
brings it into proximity with Earth. They include about thirteen thousand nearEarth asteroids (NEAs), more than one hundred near-Earth comets (NECs),
and a number of solar-orbiting spacecraft and meteoroids, large enough to be
tracked in space before striking the Earth. It is now widely accepted that
collisions in the past have had a significant role in shaping the geological and
biological history of the planet. NEOs have become of increased interest since
the 1980s because of increased awareness of the potential danger some of
the asteroids or comets pose to Earth.
IX. Application:
Directions: Write 5 superstitious beliefs that coincide with the
appearance of meteorites and comets.
X. Assessment:
Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer.
1. An instrument used by astronomer to look for heavenly bodies in the sky.
a. telescope
b. kaleidoscope
c. gyroscope
d. microscope
Ans. A
2. A shooting star is more accurately termed as
a. meteors
b. comets
c. meteorites
d. moons
Ans. C
3. What NEO stands for?
. near Earth office
b. near Earth optics
c. near Earth orbit
d. near Earth objects
Ans. D
4. An object at appears like a streak in the sky.
a. comets
b. satellite
b. moons
d. meteor
Ans. A
5. It is an object in the sky that usually burns up as it enters the earth
atmosphere.
a. meteorites
b. satellite
c. moons
d. planets
Ans. A
XI. Agreement:
Bring the following materials for tomorrows activity.
1 rectangular container (aluminum tray or plastic)
1 pebble (1-4 cm in diameter)
colored flour/colored starch
pencil

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

Lesson 20
Competency: Compare and contrast comets, meteors, and asteroids.
I. Objectives:
1. Describe how impact craters are formed when a comet or asteroid
hits Earth based on a simulation; and
2. Present observations on simulating a comet or asteroid impact using
drawings.
II. Topic: What happens when a comet or an asteroid hits the Earth?
III. Resources Needed: Learner's Module,
1 rectangular container (aluminum tray or plastic)
1 pebble (1-4 cm in diameter)
colored flour/colored starch
pencil
pc and dlp
IV. References: Curriculum Guide, Learner's Guide
V. Preliminary Activity/Priming:
Watch the video clip entitled: Discovery Channel-Large Asteroid Impact
Simulation
VI. Activity:
Procedure:
1. Fill the rectangular tray with colored flour about 3-4 centimeters
deep.
2. Place the tray on top of a table (or armrest of a chair).
3. Throw a pebble to hit the flour in the tray. Do this about four times,
hitting different parts of the flour in the tray.
4. In the space below, draw the shape of the craters made by the
pebble on the colored flour as:
a. viewed from the top.

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

VII. Analysis:
1. What do you notice about the shape of your pebbles crater and the
shape of the impact crater shown in the photo?
2. What do you think happened to the plants and animals living in the
area where the comet or asteroid crashed?
VIII. Abstraction:
Impact craters resembles the shapes of the asteroid which is usually
circular. The crater is relatively larger than the meteorites itself because of the
intensity of the impact. The immediate surrounding during impact is pulverized
by the intense heat and force created by the impact.
IX. Application:
Directions: Draw and interpret the impact of an asteroid as it hits the
Earth surface. Use the rubrics for checking.
CRITERIA
The concept being conveyed is
delivered clearly.

RATING
5

The drawing is realistic in relation to

concepts learned.

Cleanliness

Creativity.

X. Assessment:
Directions: Enumerate the possible effects of a giant meteorites
smashing into the earth.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
XI. Agreement:
Direction: Watch the movie Deep Impact, state some notable scenes
about collision of an asteroid with the Earth.

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

Lesson 21
Competency: Compare and contrast comets, meteors, and asteroids.
I. Objectives:
1. Describe the changes that happens to a fragment from a comet or
asteroid as it enters Earths atmosphere;
2. Make a diagram showing relationship among meteoroid, meteor, and
meteorite using a diagram;
3. Explain how meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite are related.
II. Topic: Comparison of Characteristics of Comets, Asteroids and Meteors.
III. Resources Needed:
PC, DLP
IV. References:
Learner's Module, CG
V. Preliminary Activity/Priming:
Word Drill: Given the definitions of the key concepts, identify what is
asked for:
Asteroid

Meteoroid

Meteor

Fireball

Bolides

Meteorite

Comet

A celestial body bigger than 10 m orbiting the Sun, mainly between

Mars and Jupiter
Similar to an asteroid, but significantly smaller. Mostly debris of
comets, sometimes debris of asteroids.
A bright tail of light caused by a meteoroid during its atmospheric
flight, also called a shooting star or falling star.
A very bright meteor (brighter than the planet Venus).
A fireball that explodes during its atmospheric flight, often with visible
fragmentation.
The part of a meteoroid or asteroid that survives the passage through
our atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface.
A smaller celestial body mainly composed of ice and dust. If a comet
approaches the Sun it can generate a tail of gas and/or dust.

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

VI. Activity:
Meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite: How are they related? Make an inference.

What is a meteor? What is a meteoroid?

What celestial (space) objects can
a meteoroid come from?

Have you ever seen a shooting star in the night sky? It appears as an
object with a tail just like a comet. It travels quickly and appears to fall on the
ground. A shooting star is another name for a meteor. But the truth is: a
meteor is not a star at all. A meteor is a light p henomenon or a streak of light
that occurs when a meteoroid burns up as it enters Earths atmosphere. A
meteoroid is a broken up rock and dust from either a comet, asteroid, the
Moon, or from Mars.
Analysis:
What are the differences between asteroids, meteorites, and comets?

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

Abstraction:
Study the picture below.

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

IX. Application:
Directions: Draw in a short bond paper a comet, asteroid and a meteorite.
Describe each.
X. Assessment:
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer..
1. A celestial body bigger than 10 m orbiting the Sun, mainly between
Mars and Jupiter.
a. asteroid
b. meteorite
c. comet
d. shooting star
Ans. A
2. A smaller celestial body mainly composed of ice and dust. If a comet
approaches the Sun it can generate a tail of gas and/or dust.
a. asteroid
b. meteorite
c. comet
d. shooting star
Ans. C
3. The part of a meteoroid or asteroid that survives the passage
through our atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface.
a. asteroid
b. meteorite
c. comet
d. fireball
Ans. B
4. Which of the following do enter the earth's atmosphere?
a. asteroid
b. meteorite
c. comet
d. satellite
Ans. B
5. Which of the following heavenly bodies revolve around the sun.
a. asteroid
b. meteorite
c. comet
d. satellite
Ans. C
XI. Agreement:
There are only 5 meteorites found in the Philippines that have
been internationally validated. Give the name, year of discovery, place
discovered, and types of meteorites.

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

Lesson 22
Competency: Explain the regular occurrence of meteor showers
I. Objectives:
1. Provide sound, scientific evidence to support ones stand about
superstitions on comets, asteroids, and meteors; and
2. Formulate doable actions to address superstitions on comets,
asteroids, and meteors.
II. Topic: Do superstitions about comets, asteroids, and meteors have
scientific basis?
III. Resources Needed: Learner's Module, PC, DLP, internet connection
IV. References:
http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/segwayed/lessons/cometstale/frame_history.html
Learner's Module
V. Preliminary Activity/Priming:
READ the statement below. Illicit from the students their opinions and
reactions.
There are many superstitions that comets, asteroids, and meteors are
signs of the end of the world. If you research history, you can find that a lot of
comets coincide with natural disasters. This has been a big reason that some
people believe comets are a sign of doomsday. Again, this is a superstition.
The Bible identifies apostates with comets and asteroids.
-Neila Rockson
(http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_superstitions_and_beliefs_about_com
ets_asteroids_and_meteors )
VI. Activity:
Procedure
1. Using the Research outputs about superstitions related to comet
and asteroid from the library, internet, and through interview with
parents and elderly perform the group activity.
2. Choose at least three superstitions (one from the Philippines, and
the rest from other countries).
3. Discuss each superstition with the group to answer the question: Do
superstitions about comets and asteroids have scientific basis?
Why or why not?

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4. List down as many scientific evidence to support the groups
answer to the question. The group may go back to the library to
research for more evidence in books or online resources.
5. Propose doable actions that the group can do to promote a more
scientific attitude towards comets, asteroids, and meteors to their
fellow students or to family members.
Group: ______________
Date: _____________________
Members:
___________________________________________________________
Do superstitions about comets and asteroids have scientific basis? Why?
Answer:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Scientific facts/evidence to support the groups answer:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Proposed actions to promote a more scientific understanding of comets,
asteroids, and meteors:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

VII. Analysis:
Does believing in superstition about comets, asteroids, and meteorites
have scientific basis?

VIII. Abstraction:
Superstition is the belief in supernatural causality - that one event
causes another without any natural process linking the two events - such as
astrology and certain aspects linked to religion, like omens, witchcraft and
prophecies, that contradict natural science.

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Lesson Guide in Science Grade 8

IX. Application:
Directions: List the superstitious belief that you can find in the picture below.

1.____________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________
5.____________________________________________________________
Assessment:
Directions: Write the word Science if the statement pertains to a scientific
fact, write the word Superstition if the statement pertains to a
superstitious belief.
1. A shooting star is made of rocks and other minerals.
Ans. Science
2. If a mother wants a twin, she should eat twin bananas
Ans. Superstition
3. Comets are an ordi nary member of the Solar System.
Ans. Science
4. The use of a folded newspaper as a pillow for the newborn is supposed to
make him intelligent.
Ans. Superstition
5. A lingering black butterfly is a sign that one of your relatives just died.
Ans. Superstition
XI. Agreement:
Directions: List 5 superstition about death, pregnant women and
wedding commonly practiced in your community.
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