"Is it a conical, linear, or an effigy shaped mound?" asked the Ranger from Effigy Mounds National Monument. The boys and girls of fifth grade spent Monday, September 30, doing fieldwork at Pike's Peak State Park and Effigy Mounds National Monument. The trip was part of their expedition focusing on Native Americans. The Fifth Graders were lucky to have such a wonderful day to learn, explore, and discover what it was like during the mound builder's time period. They hiked through Effigy Mounds National Monument and learned a great deal about the mounds and also nature. At Pikes Peak State Park the boys and girls were free to explore and enjoy a sack lunch. It is a view of the Mississippi they will never forget. The Fifth Graders are now applying all of the information they gathered from their fieldwork to individual projects on Native Americans. It was a great day for everyone who was involved!

Story and photos contributed by Loras College clinical student Val Otto