Words Matter
Day
May 20, 2026
Whether you’re launching your campaign or celebrating a year of work, Words Matter Day is a powerful opportunity for your school to come together and spotlight the impact of positive language. This special day is all about lifting each other up, reflecting on the power of our words, and building school communities rooted in respect, empathy, and inclusion.
Join the celebration on May 20 – or celebrate on another day that works for your school!
This year’s theme: “Say it Forward”
No matter where you’re at in your journey, see the list to the right for ways you can get involved.
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Want to build beyond one day?
And see some real change!
Creative Art Contest
Theme: Say It Forward
Words have the power to inspire, uplift, and create change. The Words Matter Day Creative Arts Contest invites students to express how we can use words to create a chain reaction of positive language through creativity and art. This contest challenges participants to design creative work that represents the positive impact of words in fostering respect, kindness, and inclusion.
Who Can Participate?
Open to students in elementary, middle, and high school attending schools. Participants will be grouped into the following categories:
- Grades K-4, Grades 5-8, Grades 9-12
Contest Guidelines:
- Create a poster, poem, picture, dance, song or other art piece reflecting on the theme of “Say It Forward” representing how words can inspire positive change and the power of words.
- Creations should be original, creative, and meaningful.
- Any medium is allowed.
- Creations should be submitted as digital files, either audio or visual.
- Words/phrases incorporated in the creation should align with the message of respect, kindness, and inclusion.
How to Enter:
- Create your creative piece based on the theme.
- Creations can be submitted as a class, group, or individual.
- Include your name(s), grade, school and a short description (50-100 words) explaining how your creation represents the theme.
- Email submissions to info@harmony.ca or upload it here
- Deadline: June 4, 2025
Prizes:
Every submission will be entered to win a prize pack and our favourites will be highlighted on our social media feeds!
Words Matter Day Activity Ideas
Check out some great activities below to engage your class or your whole school on Words Matter Day. Most activities are good for any grade to spread a little positivity.
Have students share positive messages or quotes on strips of paper, attach them all together and hang it in your school as a visual reminder that positive words can create a positive school.
Good for all grade levels.
Have students identify and find facts about advocates that have spoken up and used their words for good – or use the ones provided here (also available in French). Print them off and post them around the school for others to find.
Download these bingo cards (in French) for them to fill in as they find the advocates.
Grades 3-12
Download our silly prompts (also available in French) and have students come up with positive messages and have a laugh.
Grades: 3-12
Students match the person’s picture with the facts about them. Once they lock in a guess they are told how many they have right, but not which ones. They guess again until they get all six correct.
Download our images and facts here (also available in French).
Grades 4-12
Have student submit their favourite songs or songs that inspire them – and that you can dance to. Then play them throughout the day to take a break and get moving!
Bonus points if one of your students can use their DJ skills to mash them up!
Grades K-12
Students complete kind actions for a chance to win a prize! Download some actions here.
Simple set-up: Put a bunch of actions on slips of paper in a hat. When students complete the action they get a prize or treat.
More advanced set-up: Write numbers on ping pong balls, each number is assigned to an action. Students pull a ball and then when they complete the action they can try to throw the ping pong ball into a hat or cup, only if they get it in do they win a prize.
Grades K-12
Students write a letter or draw a picture thanking someone for something! You can either have them deliver them or also post them up somewhere in the class or school.
Grades K-12
Choose an emotion (for older grades, can potentially choose more complex emotion or topics tied to mental health like anxiety) have students add to the circle their thoughts and feelings tied to that emotion. You could have them share stories, create images, share actions they have taken when they felt that feeling, and so much more.
Grades K-12
Set up a photobooth and print off these signs so students can share why Words Matter to them. Add props and other word bubbles for a bit of extra fun and share them on social media or take photos to create a mural wall later.
Grades K-12
Have students spread positivity and try to outsmart the teacher. There are a few ways to set this one up:
Assign each student another student to compliment. They writ their compliments on their paper with their name as well. Collect them all and read them to make sure they are all kind. Then pass them out at random. Students then have to pass their note to the student the compliment is for. If the teacher sees it being passed they take it and move it somewhere else.
Another option is to create one giant note with everyone’s name. Everyone writes a compliment for someone else and as they see the sheet they check off their name and pass it around.
Grades 3-12
Social Media and Communications
Click here to access social media images and draft text you can use to promote your school’s participation in Words Matter Day!
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