Gaining their respect in some areas but not all

After writing my previous post about gaining the student's respect I reflected some more and realized something interesting. In terms of classroom instruction the activity that I have consistently done the most often are read alouds. I was thinking that when the class is at the rug and we are doing read alouds, I have thier respect. They listen, sit quietly, they are engaged and they have their hands to themselves. I even introduced a technique I made up called the 'silent turtle.' It is when you make sign for turtle in sign language. I ask the student to show me thier silent turtle and then put your hands into your lap. I know that sometime implementing new techniques like this in a classroom that has never done it before doesn't always stick but they have all caught on to it and understand. Anyways, I have noticed that I do not feel like I have the same type of respect when I am teaching the class as a whole when they are at their desks or when I am working on word study with the students. During these time they are blurting out, and having side conversations. It is hard doing word study groups in the conference room sometime because they think it is fun to be in there so they get riled up. Also, during my first unit plan lesson it was so hard to eliminate the side talking especially because it was an inquiry lesson that students were excited about and asking questions about.