I learned so much when I taught in a public school and had about 50 fourth graders (nine year olds) beginning cello lessons at the same time each year. It was a terrific way to learn how unique each student can be and also what works well with the majority of similar age. The challenges of teaching the cello in a public school are enormous but it is vital that we have string teaching in our public schools! Countless children are introduced to a lifetime of beauty and to an activity that elevates the mind and nurtures the heart.
Before you even start:
Get a bow that is shorter and lighter than the one that comes with the cello rental. A bow that is too heavy will make it impossible to develop a good bowhold. For a half-size cello, use a 20 inch bow.
For pointers on how to place the cello against the body and other issues that arise with posture and comfort, go to Balance and Coordination.
Finger tapes - If you teach in a school setting where there is no possibility of working one on one with a student because you're only given 30-40 minutes/week with a group of students, then you'll have to put tapes on the cellos. I experimented with this and found that you only need a tape for 1st finger and 4th finger. (The 4th finger tape is not always necessary if there is ample practice of matching octaves or unisons) In my private teaching, I rip off all the tapes or just leave one tape on for first finger. For some students, hearing a whole step above an open string is not easy. Mostly, I want the students to listen and not look at their left hand.
I often use a strip of masking tape so left thumb knows where to touch and slide. I tell my students to visualize an imaginary line running down the back of the cello neck. When playing on the A string, the thumb slides along that line. In the photo below, notice that I place the right edge of the tape along this line so that the left edge of the tape is closer to the A string side of the neck. This is to discourage the thumb from going too far under the neck over to the C string side. Not only does the thumb slide up and down but it slides from side to side when going from one string to another.
The video below shows some of the very first exercises.
How to pluck a one octave D major scale is one of the first things I teach once the student is confident with those basics in the video above. I start with the descending scale. Plucking the ascending scale is harder and they may have to wait a week or so before trying that.