I find a lot of the times when students are frustrated in class, stems from having a bad day outside of the school, whether it be something they are dealing with at their home or job. They may be tired or uncomfortable from coming to school after working outside on a hot day. I find that they are usually very short fused and distracted. They usually cannot focus on their work. I will break down the class and get them working in groups and they tend change their behavior and joke and enjoy working with the classmates within circle and… >>>

Yes, these strategies are each very helpful for the different types of behaviors that come across me. I think the having them prove their claims when they have an excuse has gotten them to perform the work in future assignments rather than try come to me empty handed.

Be available for your students, help them find their comfort zones in the class room and reward speakers who speak out, try not to correct them but maybe repohrase a answer in order to make it correct. I find students relax when and speak out more.