Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore opportunities to develop higher-order thinking for students in social studies, with a focus on teachers' content coverage and support for engaging in social studies analysis. Design/methodology/approach: A video study using naturalistic classroom observations of 80 social studies lessons was conducted in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden using a predefined observation manual. Findings: The findings showed different patterns of emphasis on content coverage and intellectually demanding analyses across classrooms in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Practical implications: The findings contribute empirical knowledge about naturally occurring classroom practices that can be used for professional development. They also highlight how contextual factors may influence teaching in social studies.