I can sympathize with your dilemma.

I could write a very long opinionated reply.

In a nutshell- find something the kids like, make friends with the" troublemakers" ( they're likely to become your best ally)

Empower them,make them feel loved and that they are achieving something . Reward them. Especially the slow learners in the class.

Google for modern teaching books on this, some are spot on. You will get many very good idea's to think through. I am sure you will find the answer.

If you like I will search my old titles and inform you.

Teaching is an honorable and worthwhile profession with the ability to do so much good.Good teachers are rare- I have the feeling that you are or could be one.

Good luck.

You need to find common ground. See what they are interested in and use it to captivate them. Once you can keep their attention then the really bad kids will become to sky to make anymore noise.

Try Transfomers or Ben Ten to get their attention then follow right into a lesson using these characters as presenters.

Use bonus points as a reward along with a game at the end of the class if they behave and do a good job.

Good luck!

sutyot