American Santa!

Happy (belated) Saint Nicholas Day!

🎅🏻THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SANTA SPOILERS FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS🎅🏻

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s student-centered history podcast that proves the past doesn’t have to be boring — especially for middle-grade listeners (8-12 yrs old).

Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the people, moments, and big ideas that shaped our country. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops.

Thanks for listening, enjoy the show!

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🎧Teachers, Students, Parents!

Everything from today’s episode:

• 🗂️ Google Docs folder with source handouts

• 🎮 Blooket! Whole-class game or individual challenge!

• 📜 Primary source links:

  • Irving’s A History of New York (1809)

  • Moore’s Twas the Night Before Christmas (1823)

  • Nast’s first Santa cartoon (1863)

  • Nast’s most famous Santa cartoon (1881)

  • Bonus: sources on Saint Nicholas of Myra

🇺🇸Have fun digging in!