Aligning Virginia Math SOLs to Common Core and TEKS: Using Sassy Math Guided Notes in Any State

Let’s address the elephant in the classroom.

You’re scrolling through my shop, you see a set of guided notes that look absolutely beautiful, and then you see those three little letters: SOL.

If you aren’t teaching in Virginia, your first instinct might be to close the tab and head back to the dark corners of the internet to find something else. You think, “Well, Asia’s in Virginia, and I’m in Texas (or Illinois, or California), so this probably won’t work for my kids.”

SIGH.

Friend, let me let you in on a little secret. Math is math.

Whether you are teaching in the heart of Richmond or the suburbs of Dallas, the way we solve a two-step equation doesn’t magically change when you cross state lines. The variables don’t get fancy, and the order of operations stays exactly the same.

I’ve spent years perfecting these resources to make sure they aren’t just “cute”, they actually work. And while I align them to the Virginia Standards of Learning (because that’s where I’ve spent my career), they are 95% compatible with almost every middle school math curriculum in the country.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) are among the most rigorous math standards in the country and cover the same fundamental concepts as Common Core and TEKS.
• Middle school math topics such as order of operations, solving multi-step equations, and scientific notation remain consistent across all three major state standards frameworks.
• Common Core (CCSS) maps almost perfectly to Virginia’s 7th and 8th-grade SOL curriculum, particularly in topics like proportions and linear equations.
• TEKS in Texas sometimes shifts grade-level placement of topics compared to Virginia SOLs, but the actual mathematical content and skills taught remain identical.
• Guided notes designed for one state standard can be effectively used across different state frameworks when teachers focus on the topic rather than the assigned grade level.

The “Standards” Struggle is Real

I get it. You have a pacing guide that feels like a heavy weight on your chest. You have administrators breathing down your neck about “standard alignment.”

You don’t want to buy something and then realize it’s missing a key component your state requires. You’re already exhausted, the last thing you need is to spend your Sunday night editing a PDF because the wording is slightly off.

But here’s the reality: Virginia’s standards (the SOLs) are actually some of the most rigorous in the country. Usually, if it’s covered in Virginia, it’s covered (and then some) in Common Core or the TEKS.

We are all teaching the same fundamental concepts. We’re all trying to get 12-year-olds to understand that “x” is just a number in disguise. We’re all fighting the same battle against “integer confusion.”

Virginia SOL vs. Common Core (CCSS)

If you’re a Common Core teacher, you’ve probably noticed that CCSS likes to spiral. Virginia does a bit of that too, but we tend to go deep into specific topics at specific grade levels.

For example, our 6th-grade curriculum is very heavy on fractions, decimals, and percentages, just like CCSS. Our 7th-grade curriculum hits Proportions and Linear Equations hard.

When you look at my middle school math shop, you’ll find that my guided notes for 7th-grade SOLs map almost perfectly to CCSS Grade 7 and Grade 8.

Most of my resources cover the exact same “meat and potatoes” of the curriculum.

Things like:

• Order of Operations (it’s universal, bestie)
• Perfect Squares and Square Roots
• Scientific Notation
• Combining Like Terms
• Solving Multi-Step Equations

Dealing with the TEKS

Oh, Texas. You guys love to do things your own way. I see you.

The TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) can be a bit of a different beast because the grade-level placement of certain topics is sometimes shifted. Something we teach in 8th grade in Virginia might be a 7th-grade topic in Texas.

But the math itself hasn’t changed.

If you are a Texas teacher, you just need to look at the topic rather than the grade level I’ve assigned it. If you need a solid activity for Slope-Intercept Form, my 8th-grade Virginia resources are going to hit every single point you need for your 8th-grade (or even Algebra 1) TEKS.

Stop letting the label on the folder stop you from using resources that will actually keep your students awake. Your kids in Houston deserve sassy, engaging math just as much as the kids in Virginia Beach.

The “Cheat Sheet” You’ve Been Waiting For

I’m all about making your life easier. I don’t want you guessing if a resource will work for you.

I’ve put together a live mapping document that shows exactly how my resources align with Virginia SOLs, Common Core, and TEKS. It’s a work in progress (because let’s be real, standards change more often than middle schoolers change their favorite TikTok dance), but it’s a great starting point.

Check out the embed below to see where your standards land in the “Sassy Math” world:

MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHTS TO REMEMBER

#1 Mathematical concepts remain consistent across state standards and the core content taught in middle school math does not fundamentally change when crossing state lines from Virginia to Texas to Common Core states.

#2 Virginia SOL rigor typically meets or exceeds other state frameworks because Virginia standards are among the most demanding in the country, meaning resources aligned to SOLs usually cover more than what other states require.

#3 Grade-level labeling matters less than topic alignment when selecting resources, especially for TEKS teachers who should focus on the mathematical concept being taught rather than the grade level assigned to the resource.

#4 Effective guided notes share universal instructional design elements including scaffolded steps, clear visual layouts, graduated practice problems, and concept-focused explanations that work regardless of state testing format.

#5 Standards mapping documents eliminate guesswork by allowing teachers to cross-reference their specific state codes with equivalent standards in other frameworks, making it simple to identify which resources will work in their classroom.

Why Guided Notes Transcend State Lines

The reason my resources: specifically my guided notes: work everywhere is because they are built on understanding, not just rote memorization of a specific state’s test questions.

When I create a resource, I’m thinking: How can I explain this so a kid who hates math actually gets it?

I use clear language. I use scaffolding that makes sense. I use visuals that aren’t cluttered or overwhelming.

Whether you’re in a Common Core state or a TEKS state, your students need:

• Scaffolded steps that don’t skip the “why.”
• Plenty of white space so they don’t have a meltdown looking at the page.
• Practice problems that gradually increase in difficulty.
• A layout that is easy to follow when they are looking back at their notes for a quiz.

If you’re still feeling a little DIY and want to tweak things yourself, you should definitely check out my free guide, PowerPoint Made Easy. It’s the first step in learning how to take any resource and make it fit your specific classroom needs without spending five hours on it.

Now go grab a coffee (or a snack from Publix: their subs are superior, don’t @ me) and enjoy the rest of your day! Thanks for reading 😉

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FAQs

Can I use Virginia SOL resources if my district uses a completely different curriculum like Eureka Math or Big Ideas?
Absolutely. Curriculum programs are just delivery vehicles for the same mathematical concepts your state requires. If a Virginia SOL resource covers solving two-step equations, it will supplement any curriculum program because the math itself doesn’t change. Match the resource to the topic your curriculum is teaching, not the program name.

What if a resource looks perfect but covers a topic my state teaches in a different grade?
Use it anyway. The mathematical content is identical regardless of when it’s taught. If your 7th graders need to learn proportional relationships and a resource labeled “8th grade SOL” teaches it brilliantly, the grade label is meaningless. Focus on what your students need to learn right now.

How do I know if a Virginia-aligned resource has enough rigor for my state’s testing?
>>>>Virginia SOLs are considered among the most rigorous standards in the country, often exceeding baseline requirements in Common Core and matching or surpassing TEKS depth. If a resource meets Virginia’s rigor standards, it will almost always meet or exceed your state’s requirements. Check the preview for problem complexity and vocabulary usage.

Are there specific topics that vary significantly between Virginia SOL and other state standards?
Grade-level placement varies more than actual content. For example, transformations might be 7th grade in one state and 8th grade in another, but the geometric concepts remain identical. Probability and statistics units sometimes have different emphases, but core topics like mean, median, mode, and data displays are universal.

What should I do if I purchase a resource and realize one small section doesn’t align with my state?
Simply skip that section or supplement with a targeted mini-lesson. Most cross-state resources are 90-95% aligned, and the time you save using a high-quality resource far outweighs the five minutes needed to address a minor gap. You can also use free customization guides like “PowerPoint Made Easy” to make small edits yourself.