The Case of the Two Tomatoes

Investigate the mystery of why two tomato plants developed so differently! To understand the case, students will describe the ways that the plants look different and read Detective Clara’s garden journal about how the plants grew over time. Then, learners will posit an explanation for why one plant is smaller than the other and what evidence from the journal shows the harmful factors. Finally, they will predict what will happen to a new plant grown under certain conditions. 

This worksheet is designed to help third graders understand how the environment can influence the traits of a plant. Students can use this knowledge to tell the difference between traits a plant inherits and traits that come from a plant’s growing conditions. 

For more plant-focused science worksheets, check out Inherited Traits: Plants and Family Tree Fun: Tomato Plants.