Every lesson and practice session should start with warm-ups like a chromatic exercise/scale from (for example) low open E to G# on the first string, using all four left fingers, the first four frets and the open notes. Follow this with scales or the scale of the keys the practice pieces are in. Where applicable, do scales in both open and closed positions.

If chords are the focus, you may need to reduce string tension for beginners by tuning down a semi-tone (capo up if you need then to play along with a recording), or by guaging down to lighter strings. This is particularly handy for learning barre chords.

Practice strum patterns with fully muted strings so that the right hand is the focus before the left hand is brought into use. In any event, start with the simplest rhythm, strumming on beat one. Then strum on the beat. Last, complicate the rhythms with half beats, ties, syncopation, triplets, etc. Complicated rhythms turn off a lot of students and convince them they can't play. Ya gotta crawl before ya sprint, and this takes more than a few lessons to perfect.

If there is no meeting of the minds on tunes, concentrate on skills. Chords and chord theory, pick skills like alternate picking, sweep picking, palm muting, some hybrid picking if fingerstyle isn't wanted. Work on good left (and right) hand technique, posture, finger placement. Articulation devices like hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides and slurs, bends, etc. Guitar skills are transferrable from style to style, so application is up to the student, but give him examples.

Some basic melody work is necessary, even if he's not interested in flatpicking like Tony Rice. Simple pop and rock music leads and fills will get the melodic sense happening, or try some rock riffs. One of the guitar magazines (Guitar World, or Guitar One, I forget which) has a "Riff Box" every month which might have worthy material, as do many books.

I caution every new student that the beginner material will sometimes be a very lame but assure them that it leads to cool stuff once they have the skills, and I give them cool stuff as soon as possible while insisting they keep up with reading and theory stuff. They all want to power chord, but it comes at a cost.

For what it's worth. Not proof read.

Peace, Mooh.