The first three nights: what to look at, in order

A first night decides whether there is a second one, so it is worth planning rather than improvising.

Before dark: align the finder

In daylight, on a distant fixed object — a chimney, a pylon, a television aerial. Centre it in the main telescope at the lowest power, then adjust the finder until it agrees. This takes ten minutes once and saves the first hour of every session afterwards.

Night one: the Moon, at low power

Fit the eyepiece with the largest number on it. The Moon is impossible to miss, bright enough that focus is obvious, and the craters along the terminator are the sight that convinces people. Do not reach for the short eyepiece yet.

Night two: a planet, and the skill of waiting

Find whichever bright planet is up. Use a medium power, look for several minutes rather than several seconds, and notice that the detail comes and goes as the air moves. That observation is the single most useful thing a beginner can learn.

Night three: something that has to be found

A bright star cluster, using the finder and a chart. This is the first night that involves actual searching, and it works because the finder is aligned and the low-power eyepiece is already the habit.

After each night: write down what worked

Which eyepiece, which magnification, how long the telescope had been outside. Three entries are enough to start seeing the pattern, and the pattern is almost always about cool-down and power.