The guide explains how to design a beginning guitar class for students in public schools. Part one discusses problems related to teaching guitar in a classroom setting. Teachers must have a clearly defined philosophy of the importance of music. Goals and objectives should emphasize the development of enlightened musical consumers as well as skills in performance and composition. At the outset, teachers should become acquainted with the various types of guitars, proper posture, ability to read in first position, open and movable bar focus, strumming and fingerpicking accompaniment patterns, improvising jazz and rock guitar, and repair problems. Specific directions are given for teaching about guitar action, string replacement, chord formation, and sound production. Considerations for teaching students of varying skill levels are reviewed, also. Part two explores aspects of the school environment which can affect the success of the guitar program. These include school schedules, school finances, and classroom materials. A bibliography presents references in the following categories: philosophy of music education, books about the guitar, how to play some styles of guitar, folk song anthologies, popular song anthologies, and books concerning rhythm. (AV)