Hey Lindsey, I've taught loads of beginners over the years so these things could work for him
-String names (You can use Elephants, And, Donkeys, Grow, Big, Ears (EADGBE) to help him remember the string letters) I usually then play a game where I mix up the letters and get the student to find the strings that I say, getting gradually quicker as we go.
- The Spider exercise - Shows him how to use all 4 fingers straight away by matching them to each fret and playing in order - 1234 on every string (This will usually highlight how Important thumb position is if they struggle to reach up to the low E string and it'll allow you to explain that)
- The very start of Metalica's Nothing Else Matters can be cool as a fun way to practice...