To tell if a melon is ripe, it should have a good bright color and give just slightly when you push on it. Smell the melon, you should be able to notice a sweet smell on a ripe one. Also, I usually give them a good shake and listen or feel for jiggling seeds. not always the easiest method, but the most reliable.
As always start with a large cutting board and a good sharp knife.
Start by thoroughly washing the outside of the melon with hot water. Then place on the cutting board and cut off both ends, usually taking off about 1/2 an inch. then stand it up on one end and slice down the middle.
Then take a large spoon and carve around the seeds first, then scoop them out.
If you plan on taking the rind off the melon lay it flat side down on the cutting board and cut it down the middle, parallel to the ends.
Stand up the melon quarter on the widest side. Take your knife and follow the rind line with the back of the knife, don't worry too much about the front. Repeat that process several times to get off the rind, you may need to go back and do some clean up shaving.
You can then cut it any way you want, but for the smaller kids I slice it thin.
Then I turn it and cut that in half.
This gives me small manageable piece that are easy to chop. 
For the older kids I leave the rind on and slice it down the length.
Then take a few slice and lay it flat on the board.
Cut the slice to whatever size seems appropriate.
The Pre-Schoolers get the largest slices.
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