Plant Detective Worksheet Plant Detective Worksheet
Page 1 • Plant Parts Investigation
Name:
Date:
Mission 1: Use the Word Bank below to label each part of the plant diagram. Then, match each clue!
Word Bank
Flower Leaves Stem Roots
Soil Line (Ground)
Label 1
Label 2
Label 3
Label 4
2
Detective Clue Match: Write the plant part that matches each job!
A. "I hold the plant in the soil and drink up water."
Part:
B. "I stand tall like a straw to carry water up."
Part:
C. "I catch sunlight to make food for the plant."
Part:
D. "I am colorful to attract bees and make seeds."
Part:
Plant Detective Journal
Page 2 • Draw & Observe
Name:
Plant Observed:
Mission 2: Look closely at a real plant or photo. Draw it in the frame, then write simple observations for each part!
Draw Your Plant Portrait
Draw roots, stem, leaves & flower
Top of plant (Flower / Leaves) Sky
soil line guide
Underground (Roots in soil)
Detective Senses Used:
I saw (Sight)
I felt (Touch)
I smelled (Scent)
1. Flower Observation
What color is it? How does it look or smell?
2. Leaves Observation
Are they big, small, smooth, or prickly?
3. Stem Observation
Is it tall, bendy, woody, or thick?
4. Roots Observation
Are they thin hairs or thick? Spread out?
Detective Wrap-Up
The most surprising part I observed was:
One thing this plant needs to stay alive is:
Plant Parts Sorting Activity Plant Parts Sorting Mat
Classification & Observation Mat
Name:
Date:
Directions: Cut out the 8 picture cards from Page 2. Look closely at each picture, then paste the matching cards into the correct plant part zone!
ROOTS ZONE
Anchors & drinks water
Paste Root #1 Look for underground parts
Paste Root #2 Look for hair-like roots
Root Clue: Where are these parts located? Underground
STEMS ZONE
Supports & carries water
Paste Stem #1 Look for stalks or trunks
Paste Stem #2 Look for tubes moving water
Stem Clue: Stems act like what household tool? A drinking straw
LEAVES ZONE
Catches sun & makes food
Paste Leaf #1 Look for green flat shapes
Paste Leaf #2 Look for needle or blade shapes
Leaf Clue: What color are healthy leaves usually? Green
FLOWERS ZONE
Petals & seed makers
Paste Flower #1 Look for bright petals
Paste Flower #2 Look for blossoms & seeds
Flower Clue: Why are flowers bright and colorful? To invite bees/pollinators
Classification Complete Check:
2 Roots Sorted 2 Stems Sorted 2 Leaves Sorted 2 Flowers Sorted
Observation Picture Cards
Page 2 • Cut & Observe Cards
8 Cards to Cut Out
Carefully cut along the dashed lines. Observe the picture clues, then paste them on Page 1!
Card A Carrot Thick orange food storage part underground
Card B Celery Stalk Tall green stalks that drink water up like tubes
Card C Maple Leaf Flat wide green blade with clear veins to soak sun
Card D Sunflower Bright yellow petals surrounding seed-making disc
Card E Grass Roots Thin tangled fibers holding soil firmly under turf
Card F Tree Trunk A thick woody stem holding up large tree branches
Card G Pine Needles Very thin, pointy evergreen leaves built for cold air
Card H Clover Blossom Sweet-smelling blossom made of tiny pink petals
Detective Observation Questions
1. Compare the Carrot and the Grass Roots . How do they look different?
2. Compare the Celery Stalk and the Tree Trunk . Both are stems, but what is different about how they feel?
3. Why do you think both Maple Leaves and Pine Needles are green?
Plant Parts Scavenger Hunt Plant Parts Scavenger Hunt
Field Investigation • Search & Observe
Detective:
Date:
Hunt Challenge: Explore the garden or classroom stations! Find each plant part, check off what you observe, and draw a quick field sketch.
1. ROOTS HUNT
Look near tree base, potted plant, or garden soil.
Thick woody main root Thin tangled fuzzy roots Damp soil on roots
Root Sketch Draw root shapes
Field Notes
Color observed:
How it feels (rough, damp, firm):
2. STEMS HUNT
Find a plant stem standing tall. Feel how firm it is.
Green and bendy stem Hard woody brown bark Leaves branching off
Stem Sketch Draw stalk or trunk
Field Notes
Thickness (skinny or thick):
Does it bend or stay stiff?
3. LEAVES HUNT
Look closely at leaf surface. Can you spot vein lines?
Smooth, flat broad leaf Bumpy or jagged edge Clear vein lines visible
Leaf Sketch Draw shape & veins
Field Notes
Shade of green observed:
Size compared to hand:
4. FLOWERS HUNT
Find an open blossom or bud. Notice petals & scent.
Bright colorful petals Yellow pollen center Sweet or fresh scent
Flower Sketch Draw petals & center
Field Notes
Petal colors observed:
Scent or number of petals:
Detective Badge Level:
[ ] 1-2 Parts Found (Junior Scout) [ ] 3 Parts Found (Plant Tracker) [ ] All 4 Parts Found (Master Botanist)
Plant Comparison Showdown
Page 2 • Compare Plant A vs. Plant B
Two Specimen Comparison
Pick two different plants you observed today. Compare each part side-by-side to see how plant parts adapt!
A Specimen A:
B Specimen B:
Roots Comparison: (What do they look like? How do they anchor?)
Plant A Roots:
Plant B Roots:
Stems Comparison: (Is it woody or green? Tall or low?)
Plant A Stem:
Plant B Stem:
Leaves Comparison: (Shape, size, smooth or jagged?)
Plant A Leaves:
Plant B Leaves:
Flowers Comparison: (Color, size, or petals observed)
Plant A Flower:
Plant B Flower:
Botanist Discovery Conclusions
1. How are both plants alike in the way they drink water?
2. Which plant part was most different between Plant A and B?
