Snow days should still be snow days—but winter has a way of piling on. If you’re facing multiple closures or virtual days, we’ve got you covered. A blizzard of playful ideas that work for any content area, without forcing school-as-usual. When plans change, play adapts!

Texas educators: this one’s for you. At TCEA 2026, we’re leading three sessions on next-level gamification, AI-proof assessments, and authentic play in the artificial age. Wanna’ play? If you’re ready to move beyond chocolate-covered broccoli, we’ll see you in San Antonio.

At long last, the new book finally here! In an age of AI, learning can’t afford to feel mechanical. Playing with Purpose shows how thoughtful play, intentional challenge, and inclusive design help teachers create classrooms where curiosity thrives and learning sticks.

What if the real problem with teacher PD isn’t teachers at all, but the stories we tell about them? From wizards to witches, today’s blog post pulls back the curtain to reveal what educators truly want, need, and deserve. Read on and change your teacher PD… for good!

Happy 2026! Ring in the New Year with 1100 activities (and counting!) designed to energize any classroom. From quick wins to deep engagement, these playful, flexible ideas help students reflect, reset, and launch the year with momentum. Bonus: no confetti cleanup required!

Tired of scrolling, tweaking, and hoping a lesson works? This post explains why EMC² Learning isn’t just another Teachers Pay Teachers wannabe. Click to learn about how our quality control, pedagogy-first organization, and versatile designs can actually improve your craft.

Mark your calendars: EMC² Learning is headed to Orlando for FETC 2026! Catch John Meehan in workshops, speed learning labs, a poster session, and a book signing. From hands-on learning to big ideas, there are plenty of ways to connect, talk shop, and play with purpose!

Talk about something phish-y. A random Science Friday interview with Phish’s Mike Gordon took us on a long, strange trip straight into a deep dive on flow, neuroscience, and the surprising power of improvisational play. Ready to find the groove for your next lesson plan?

New to EMC² Learning? Welcome to the playful pedagogy party! But with 1,100+ activities, that all important first step can feel overwhelming. Fear not: this quick guide breaks down how our resources work and shows you how easy, flexible, and fun your classroom can become.

Our biggest news of the year is here: a brand-new book, 50+ UDL-upgraded EMC² resources, and a sneak peek at your chance to get ahead of the game for 2026 and beyond. There’s never been a better time to join the EMC² community and start playing with purpose. Check it out!

Shuffle up some serious engagement! Suit Strategies turns any lesson into a high-energy showdown of wit, risk, and reward. With plenty of themes and infinite flexibility, this EMC² Learning collection is your ultimate ace up the sleeve for student-centered excitement.

We’ve got mail! One teacher’s thoughtful question led to a deep dive on goal-setting, self-reflection, and how EMC² designs tools that make every classroom a place where playful learning can lead to serious results. Wanna’ see what they inspired? Pro tips await inside!

Ready to scare up some serious student engagement? Check out EMC² Learning’s Halloween Hit Parade — a frightfully fun lineup of seasonal classroom favorites guaranteed to spark smiles, creativity, and collaboration. No tricks here — just treats for classes ready to play!

Ready to Rumble?! Meet Story Spinner Smackdown: a plug-and-play lineup of themed arenas where one routine unlocks endless variety. Spin nine wheels, spark outrageous connections, and teach with joy. Millions of boards, flexible wildcards, zero prep—any grade, any subject.

Civolution is EMC² Learning’s most ambitious deep-game yet—part Civilization, part Sim City. Student teams build dynasties, unlock tech trees, and show epic mastery of your content. Use it for two days, a unit, or an entire semester! Give a click and let the games begin.

Back to school is in full swing! And that means that schools everywhere are putting schedules together for all kinds of in-service workshops, trainings, and conferences to help provide teachers with the support to get the job done right. Wanna’ learn with the EMC² crew?

Small change. Big impact. EMC² Learning’s three new Penny Pedagogy collections — Micro Marketing Mayhem, Share Out Showdown, and Wacky Word Associations — are plug-and-play, student-centered activities that spark creativity and engagement in any course or content area.

Transform your syllabus into a full-blown adventure. With Story Powered Syllabi, students don’t just read your expectations—they live them. From ninja dojos to pirate coves, choose a theme, drop in your content, and start the school year with a story they’ll never forget.

New data shows students everywhere are struggling with focus, follow-through, and face-to-face collaboration. See how EMC² Learning’s Remnant Recon turns classic spiraling review into a high-energy, team mission that builds confidence, connection, and real-world skills.

What if your everyday, ordinary classroom ran like Disney World? Learn how five lessons from the Disney Institute can help you turn everyday instruction into an immersive, story-driven experience where everything teaches—and every student feels like the hero of the story.

Back where it all began. Last week, John Meehan returned to the KTI Summit in for his fourth keynote — and the energy was electric. From action-packed games to classroom-ready takeaways, this was PD done right. See why 100% of attendees called it valuable and inspiring!

Long before there were classrooms, there were couch cushion wrestling rings. This week’s blog tribute explores what Hulk Hogan taught us about performance, presence, and the immortality of real-life superheroes — especially teachers. Whatcha gonna do with your legacy?

Every summer, Shark Week makes millions care about marine biology. Why? Because it turns content into a must-see event. What if your lessons did the same? Dive into jaws-ome tips (and some fin-tastic EMC² tools) to turn everyday instruction into an unforgettable spectacle.

EMC² Learning just got a major shoutout on the one and only Edutopia! Our Personal Record Rubric resource is featured in an incredible article on visual rubrics by Eileen Ng. See how playful design can power deeper learning—check out the full piece and celebrate with us!

When chatbots go too far, what’s a school to do? From Grok to Gemini, the latest AI misfires reveal deeper truths about teaching in an artificial age. In this blog, we explore how EMC² Learning helps educators reclaim authenticity in an age of overwhelming artificiality.

In just a few short weeks, GRITC 2025 is bringing the heat to Mobile, Alabama—and I’m thrilled to be this year’s keynote speaker! From AI to game-based learning, check out all four sessions I’ll be leading at the Gulf Coast’s premiere PD event for teachers. Check it out!

The results are in! We surveyed 10,000+ educators from around the globe, and the 2025 State of the YOUnion is officially live. See what teachers are loving, where they want more support, and how EMC² Learning is responding—at the speed of life. Read the full report now!

What do colorful birds, hungry vampires, and lawn-obsessed neighbors have in common? They all inspired classroom-ready ideas at this year’s EMC² Summer Summit! Take a peek behind the curtain as we unpack the game mechanics that sparked serious ideas for playful pedagogy.

Six years ago, a little book called EDrenaline Rush changed everything — for my classroom, my career, and eventually, the launch of EMC² Learning. Take a look back at the book that started it all and discover why it’s still igniting student engagement around the world.

The annual EMC² Summer Survey is LIVE! All month long, we’re inviting 10,000+ Engagement Engineers worldwide to sound off and shape what’s next. What should we build? What do you need? And where are we headed? See how you can help us build the future of playful pedagogy!

In 1957, an aspiring Beach Boy turned in a little ditty called Surfin’—and got an F. Almost 60 years later, his school changed the grade. But what are we really grading—fame, polish, or potential? Catch a wave of variable-based grading, creativity, and the power of growth.

Big news, folks! EMC² Learning’s very own John Meehan has been selected to join the Pulitzer Center’s AI Teacher Advisory Council — a national cohort exploring AI, ethics, and education. Learn how this incredible honor will help shape the future of teaching and tech!

Every Memorial Day, CrossFitters around the U.S. tackle “Murph” — a brutal workout honoring Navy Lt. Michael Murphy’s ultimate sacrifice. This blog isn’t about PRs. It’s about humility, showing up, and remembering what it means to serve something greater than ourselves.

Let’s be real: May and June can feel like a long, slow fade to summer. Between locker cleanouts, field day chaos, and that inevitable “can we just watch a movie?” chorus from students, it’s easy to lose momentum in those final weeks. But what if you could flip the script?

We did it! EMC² Learning just hit 1,000 fully editable resources — and they’re all ready to rock your classroom. From review games to STEM challenges, every resource is built for engagement, backed by research, and ready when you are. Come see what the buzz is about!