The new round of scientific and industrial revolution challenges the reform and development of engineering education. Emerging engineering education is just a positive response to the challenges and requirements. The key point of emerging engineering education in civil engineering is to cultivate the engineering innovation ability of college students in practical education. In view of the prevailing practice of emphasizing theory and neglecting practice, and the current situation of not paying attention to cultivating innovation ability, the practical teaching reform of soil mechanics course is carried out. The "Three Classrooms" cooperative education system and the specific construction content of the first class, the second class and extracurricular practice are constructed. The key problems of practical teaching system are summarized, the safeguard measures, experience and effects of teaching reform are introduced.