This document discusses how to upgrade lessons to incorporate 21st century skills and literacies. It provides examples of roles students can take on such as experts, mentors, peers, photographers, and videographers. These roles empower students and involve them in authentic activities like collaborating with other classes, collecting real world data, backchanneling during events, and creating multimedia projects. The document is a template for lesson planning that focuses on developing student skills through roles that engage them in critical thinking, collaboration, and reflection.