Here are my thoughts after teaching many dozens of hand quilting classes.
1. Students want to get to the quilting immediately.
2. Save all the technical part until later.
3. Technical stuff such as: what kind of needle, batting, fabric, etc.
4. Don't give choices initially.
5. Save the projects until later.
6. Make up kits for them which contain: #8 between needle; or the assortment pack mentioned below. Sandwiched piece of 20" muslin, a thin poly batt; and square of the smallest gingham check you can find. You probably will not be able to find this in cotton so I use the poly/cotton for this practice session. The very small check is the key as it gives lines and spaces to follow. Preferably 1/8" or less and hoop.
7. My recommendation for hoop is the 14" Morgan No Slip Hoop. Students who use this hoop, even tho they have others, say they will never use any other kind. It can be purchased from JoAnn's but cost is just under $20. Shop could order.
8. Don't insist on tiny tiny stitches but regular even consistent stitches.
9. Do a short talk about other options in needles but start with #8 and suggest gradually shortening as they gain experience. Have the shop get the Thomas needle pack which contains #8, #9, #11 and #12. This pack is the only one available which includes al the sizes a hand quilter will use.
10. I include one of the Mini Wholecloth preprinted squares from www.quiltingstencils.com for more serious practice.
11. I also include the thimble and incude the inexpensive one from Prym-Dritz that is depressed on the top. Talk about other options.
12. Start all students at the same level and same project.
If you have more than one class session, then start showing and describing other tools and their uses - types of batting, thimbles.
13. I also use the hand quilting thread from A&E. It is their Americana hand quilting thread and available from JoAnn's for .99 a spool. Excellent thread.
I guess the bottom line is:
Start simple
Get them to stitching early in the session.
Don't spend too much time on other products.
I will be teaching hand quilting at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Chantilly Va (end of Sept) and in Atlanta in October.
Hope this gives you some thoughts to start your planning.