While learning AT the MSF would have been preferred, I can't get in until the end of July. I don't want to have my baby just sitting in my driveway for that long. I'd like to very carefully learn stop and go/slow maneuvers on my quiet street. Your second thought sounds like it might do quite nicely
What your talking about (using the clutch/throttle to go just enough without stalling) sounds kinda like what I do in the car when I'm coming back from a crowded night at Cedar Point. I give the car just enough gas to keep it going in the slooow bumper to bumper traffic, using the clutch and gas to just go enough not to stall without hitting the brake until I absolutely have to.