personally i've always thought the best way to teach is with already working code. given a reference (the internet will do these days), some well written workin

personally i've always thought the best way to teach is with already working code. given a reference (the internet will do these days), some well written working code with examples of all constructs and idioms in it for a lesson, and possibly a sequence of prompts to change what it does with increasing difficulty, seems the best way. most importantly, it must do something that the learner at least has some remote interest in and for best results the activity should be creative and constructive.