Lloyd:
A couple of questions:
1. How much teaching time do you have?
2. How many students at one time?
If you can only tie one pattern, then I suppose the tried and true wooly
bugger is as good a choice as any. However, more time would enable a series
of flies to teach different skills. Mike's approach is sound, if that
is the case. I seem to remember a similar sequence recommended in some
British author's Tying book, and it teaches strong basic skills, after which
the interested newbie will practice until he/she can tie anything they wish.
Tom