I'm sure you've seen it before... one well timed comment that brings a halt to the teaching train altogether. "This is boring!"
Essential to successfully managing challenging behavior is the ability to first maintain your own self-control in the heat of the battle.
Conflict is inevitable but combat is optional.
I've been there. In the heat of the moment when my face is feeling hot I want to explain to my students why this isn't boring, why this is actually really important stuff that they should care about because it is going to help them succeed in life!
It's in that moment, when I can't think of something appropriately witty that I flounder. And the more it happens, the more frustrated I get.
Calm is contagious and silence is powerful.
The next time you are drawn out by a student try this - zip it. Don't say a word for 5 seconds. Take a supportive stance and act like you're thinking about something really important. 70% of the time, the behavior will self correct and you can move on with your lesson.