Amy M. Burns

Elementary Music Technology and Integration

Amy M. Burns has taught PreK-grade 4 general music for over 25 years at Far Hills Country Day School (FH) (https://www.fhcds.org/). She also teaches grade 5 instrument class, directs the FH Philharmonic, is the Performing Arts Department Manager, and teaches privately in the after-school conservatory after being the director for over 20 years. She has authored four books and numerous articles on how to integrate tech into the elementary music classroom. She has presented many sessions on the topic, including four keynote addresses in TX, IN, St. Maarten, and AU. She is the recipient of the 2005 Technology in Music Education (TI:ME) Teacher of the Year, the 2016 New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) Master Music Teacher, the 2016 Governor’s Leader in Arts Education, and the 2017 NJ Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year Awards. Her most recent publication, Using Technology with Elementary Music Approaches (2020), published by Oxford University Press (OUP) is available from OUP and Amazon. Burns is also the Community Coordinator for Midnight Music (MMC) at https://midnightmusic.com/, the General Music Chair for NJMEA Board of Directors, and the Elementary Music Consultant for MusicFirst (https://www.musicfirst.com/), a company built by music educators for music educators, dedicated to helping music teachers and their students make the most of technology in the classroom.

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#teachertiptuesday All About Music Templates

September 02, 2025  /  Amy M. Burns

Meet The Musician!

The other day, I posted this year’s board titled "Meet the Musician" that features Lin-Manuel Miranda. My daughter Mikayla set up the board, added “Ten Fun Facts,” and decorated it with artistic sheet music from My Shot that we found at a bookstore in NYC.

This board will turn into "Meet the Musicians" with each class from preschool to grade 4 creating their own “All About Music” boards using Canva templates.

All About Music Templates

In August, I wrote about this project where my students will create an "All About Me" activity that showcases their musical interests. In this post, I provide the templates that can be done with paper or digitally.

Paper:

  • You can find them in the Extras Page (https://buymeacoffee.com/elmusedtech/extras).

  • You can print them in color, or set your copier to print them in black and white.

  • There are two templates: PS, K, and 1 Template, and the Grades 2, 3, 4 Template.

    • The PS, K, and 1 Template includes a place for them to draw a self portrait and I encourage them to draw their favorite instrument in the picture.

    • They can also circle sing or dance or both!

    • In the Grades 2-4 template, they are to draw a portrait of themselves in the middle and then write in their favorite song title, musical artist, hobby, food, and two other favorite things.

    • If you receive pushback from your students because they do not have a "favorite", give them suggestions or ask them questions to help them answer the questions.

    • Finally, use yourself as an example and perform the activity first as they watch.

  • The lesson plans for both templates are also provided in the download.

Digital

This project is more than just a fun activity — it’s a meaningful way for students to see themselves as musicians and to share their musical identities with their classmates. Whether your students are drawing their favorite instrument, designing digitally in Canva, or proudly presenting their boards, they’re building confidence and community in your music room. By the end of the year, your walls will tell the story of every child’s unique musical journey, celebrating not just one “Meet the Musician,” but an entire room full of them.

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