Homeschooling mom freaks out when Tennessee public school includes Islam in social studies lesson

The fact that a Tennessee mom pulled her son out of a local elementary school last year is not deterring her from leading a silent protest at middle school this year after learning that seventh-graders would be taught about Islam in a social studies class, the Bristol Herald-Courier is reporting.

Organizer Patty Kinkead, who is homeschooling her 5th grade son after yanking him from his elementary school last year over concerns about Common Core, says teaching about Islam is one more reason why she hates the curriculum.

“I’m involved with Tennessee Against Common Core. I want to actively educate people about what Common Core is and some of the parts of Common Core that are most offensive. One of the most offensive parts is the Islam content that is with Common Core,” she explained.

Kinkead -- the author of children's book called "What's Right" featuring a patriotic beaver named Stumpy that she promotes at Tea Party events-- admits that she has not seen the course material on the world's second largest religion, but grew concerned when she heard apocryphal stories from other parents in the state.

“About two weeks ago, I was contacted by some parents in Kingsport who were distraught because their children were asked to bring towels to school so the kids could do some prayers from the Islamic unit they were on," she said. "The parents asked me if there was any way we could raise awareness, that’s why I’m doing this. I feel like there should be a voice for the children that don’t have a voice.”

According to another organizer, Emily Kausch, over 100 participants were expected for the "silent Christian protest with signs and a banner" at Vance Middle School on Friday morning.

The protest over teaching about Islam was scheduled before 7 a.m. because parents needed to get to work and, “We don’t want to interrupt the children’s school day. Our aim is to educate parents, not to keep the children from learning,” explained Kinkead.