Reflecting on the mediascape since the 2016 elections, it's tempting to think that "fake news" is strictly a twenty-first century phenomenon--designed by webmasters as clickbait for shadowy networks seeking power and profit. This article will explore some ways in which teachers can use the analytical tools of news literacy to unearth the processes of fabrication, omission and distortion, which have characterized news reporting since the founding of the republic. The author will examine historical and contemporary examples of old and new media forms that teach students to evaluate credibility, critique evidence, and analyze bias as they seek to become digitally literate citizens in a media world in which they are constantly buffeted by confusing and distracting messages. Throughout this article, the author will use examples from Project Look Sharp's collection of over 1,000 free online lessons, which were designed to teach core content in the social studies by using media documents paired with questions in an interactive process that supports student capacities.