[LIT] desperately need advice--how do I weave this together?

[ncteach]

Hi All,

A bit of background: I taught language arts (for one year) and reading (for 
5 years). I then went on to teach social studies for a some time. I am now 
back in language arts (6th grade).

Problem: How do I weave all that I am supposed to do together in a logical, 
coherent fashion? I am so stessed out trying to figure it out! (Literally 
sick to my stomach.)

Questions: How do you bring together reading, writing, grammar, and 
vocabulary in a way that makes sense? How do you "do" vocabulary? How do you 
teach spelling (if at all)?

Here are the tools that I have: Language of Literature textbook; grammar 
book; Stephanie Harvey's Comprehension Toolkit (I bought this last week); 
Learning Focused material (we are supposed to use this as our framework); 
lots of trade books (which I bought); 6+1 Trait books (which I bought).

I feel as if all I have are bits and pieces. How do I bring them all 
together? Do you teach using themes or by genre?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
Kim