The concepts of ratio and proportion are among the most important topics in school mathematics, especially at the middle school level. However, studies have repeatedly shown that most middle school students have difficulties with these concepts (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 2000). This article includes ideas and examples used by Asian textbooks to teach the concepts of ratio that are fundamental to the development of proportional reasoning. Rather than move directly into the concepts of proportion, Asian textbooks spent time developing the idea of equivalent ratios and simplified integer ratios and discussing how these ratio-related concepts could be used to solve problems in everyday contexts. Typically, pictorial representations were used and multiple solution methods were discussed to help students relate ratio concepts to other previously learned concepts such as measurement (quotitive) division, fractions, and divisors. Furthermore, exercises and examples were carefully chosen to link the ratio concepts to previous studies on fractions (including fractions greater than 1) and decimals. The authors contend that these approaches all aim to develop proportional reasoning, which is essential in solving proportion problems. (Contains 4 figures.)