How to handle a chaotic last period elective class

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

1. 1
   Switching students to using playdough or paper assignments instead of real materials until they earn trust
2. 2
   Sending disruptive students to the office
3. 3
   Inviting support staff or administrators into the room for observation and feedback
4. 4
   Writing students up using progressive behavior response plans
5. 5
   Hammering expectations strictly on day one
6. 6
   Building in structured talk time like turn-and-talks or think-pair-shares
7. 7
   Calling home to parents and asking for their help
8. 8
   Leaning into student interests like sports and video games to drive engagement
9. 9
   Having students read draft emails to their parents during class before sending
10. 10
    Limiting direct instruction time to brief intervals and rotating activities
11. 11
    Implementing tally marks or behavior warnings on student desks
12. 12
    Standing close to chatty students or jumping into their conversations
13. 13
    Leveraging group work or planned talking breaks as incentives
14. 14
    Writing kids up
15. 15
    Making a seating chart
16. 16
    Contacting home
17. 17
    Going over expectations almost every day
18. 18
    Starting class by addressing previous day behavior

In their words

Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.