The range in human character is remarkable. Some people prize order while others finding order tedious, prefer less structured exploration to create unpredicted moments of discovery.
Perhaps this character difference explains why some "use" The Science of Reading to bless training on the 44 sounds made by the 26 letters while others prefer discovering sound patterns in poetry & word play.
In the first instance, Structured Practice, emerges from the alphabet's glorious system; whereas, when put on display in a well played poem, the letters sing to the spirit of being inspiring inquiry into the song's phonetic structure.
Research shows that some students and teachers thrive in predictable settings while others wilt when asked to do or teach drills. What's nutrition for one is poison for another. Thus, in selecting how we do Structured Phonics Practice, we must be conscious of our freedom to choose between systematic order and playful exploration. The wise will choose by being true to the needs of their students.
Though, might we wonder if there's a middle path where predictable structure meets playful expression and inquiry? I'm thinking of the heart and drum beat where poetry begins in sensory experience danced into language.
Consider this kind of two line stanza built around the chant's simple song using just 4 letters and then expanded by the second line:
Run, run, run
I run ____
We could fill in the blank with "I run for fun" if our focus is short /u/, or "fast", or "as fast as __", or we can leave it to the students to tell us where or why they run.
As the chant expands it can become this kinesthetically lively language dance:
Jump, jump, jump
to the spin, spin, spinning
beat, beat, beat
Spinning rope has no chance
to catch my dancing feet