"HIDDEN"

This week has been a real surprise as far as teaching goes. I have found 'hidden' talents in several children.
One little boy (not in my grade but working with me in a double class activity) comes from a family where intellectual disability is rife, Mum and Dad can't get him to school so he is often picked up by teachers and he is obviously disadvantaged financially. He is a very quiet boy, softly spoken but very pleasant. The other day he instantly solved a difficult number problem in his head and then clearly verbalised his thought processes. His written work is apparently displaying above average tendencies and he is gaining more and more confidence. Regular attendance is clearly suiting him down to the ground.
One of my little Grade 2 girls has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder and memory problems. You think she is 'away with the fairies' when all of a sudden she will join in with a money activity by telling the class that if we need nine 10 cent coins to make 90cents, then we can also use eighteen 5cent coins. I wish these 'hidden' talents would come out of hiding a bit more often!
Another little boy with very irregular attendance has had me fooled. His 'hidden' talent lies in the fact that he has lead me to believe that butter wouldn't melt in his mouth...until now!!
The other day he told me that he wouldn't be at school the next day as he had a dental appointment at 9.00. I then suggested that he could come back to school after that but he said that Mum had made an appointment to have his haircut after the dentist. But when talking to his Mum later that day she knew nothing about either of those appointments! I have since caught him out in several more lies.
And I thought I could pick them!!!