Hey! First of all, I truly appreciate the fact that you are trying to improve yourself as a teacher and not blame them. I used to be a teacher for 8 years and I think I have some tips and tricks.

Communication: try to talk to them using the see think wonder method. That provides feedback to them in a way that is respectful and without blame. I see that you are talking when I am talking. I think something is wrong; either I am boring or the lesson isn't engaging enough. I wonder how I can help. Something like that. Be vulnerable and sincere, you'll be fine, just remember to use 'I' and not 'you'. You told us they're good students. So they must have good intentions.

Lesson plan: say you have 15 min of reading or 20 of explaining. Try to divide that into shorter stints with the appropriate follow-ups of course.. That keeps the flow going for them and doesn't give them time to wander off in their minds.

Hope this helps a bit! Good luck and remember we're all people who want a good connection.

Cries in teacher

Stephen Fry's voice acting on the audio book of Mythos is phenomenal as well