Rob Melton | Substack

Storytelling Tools

Easier than ever to make a quick movie, and an oven mitt, for a family birthday

Bring to life your family's annual events through words, images, and sounds. It's easier than ever to assemble family favorite photos with music and…

Jul 18 •

Friend needed help with tree, and we uncovered some roots

I suggested she do a little more digging--on two free family history sites. She sent some names. I hit family history gold in no time digging deeper for…

Jul 17 •

8 strategies you can use today to build stories about your ancestors, and the first strawberries in SF

Family history storytelling is also an excellent way for children to understand the lives and history of their ancestors.

Jul 11 •

A writer's manifesto: Getting rid of barriers, taking notes, ignoring rules, a playful attitude, test drafts--and the call to write

Looking for words, ideas, ancecdotes, set-ups, plots, character descriptions, mental images, settings, paradoxes, and humor that scream “Look at me…

Jul 6 •

Remembering 37 Revolutionary War Patriots in the extended family this July 4, and how to track down yours

We've tracked down 57 percent of our ancestors six generations ago who fought for what they believe in. You can, too. Two of them are women!

Jul 4 •

Education

Three questions and 6 strategies to pass state, federal tests, graduate on time, and win the Super Bowl of standardized tests

If we must play the Super Bowl game of testing, where there are winners and losers, then let’s play the game—and learn at the same time.

Jul 3 •

We are not born with a user manual

We can, however, discover our strengths and weaknesses when we try everything out for ourselves.

Jul 2 •

'a story to tell': A documentary of teen life and creativity in Portland, Oreogn

There’s something striking about the honesty in a teen’s writing. Their stories are pretty much about what is on their minds at any given moment.

Jul 1 •

Teaching Murray's prewriting strategies increases passing rate on Oregon state writing assessments

In addition, it implies that reflective writing, portfolio development, and an experience writing in a variety of modes made a difference, too.

Jun 27 •

Do this, not that

Show, don't tell! Active, not passive!

Jun 25 •

Photography

Pictures of the Week

July 7, 2025 - July 13, 3025

Jul 14 •

Pictures of the Week: Red White, and Blue

June 30-July 6, 2025

Jul 6 •

Pictures of the Week

June 23-29, 2025

Jun 29 •

Save our federal lands

I created this video as a love note to the place I call home. The federal government owns 53 percent of Oregon land. It's no exageration: A majority of…

Jun 23 •

Pictures of the Week: Environmental portraits, camera tips, family history photojournalism

June 16-22, 2025

Jun 22 •

In the gentle wind

Jun 19 •

Pictures of the Week, June 9-15, 2025

-30-Thanks for reading!

Jun 15 •

Pictures of the Week, early edition

June 9-15, 2025

Jun 11 •

Pictures of the Week

Jun 9 •

Pictures of the Week

May 26-June 1, 2025

Jun 2 •

Pictures of the Week

May 19-25, 2025

May 26 •

Pictures of the week

May 11-18, 2025

May 18 •

You're awesome! Has anyone told you that lately?

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts