I use this activity with my 4th grade students in connection to Unit5: "Do you have a pen?" lesson.
For me, the unit5 lesson is between 4-5 lessons depending on the level of the class. I use the second to last lesson to introduce the activity and give them about 5-10 minutes to work on the craft. If they don't finish the HRT will assign it as homework or work on it during free time.
You can have pre-assigned partners, randomized, or have them pair up with the person beside them. I usually hand the interview paper first and explain the rules. They must ask "What( OO ) do you like?" and their partner must answer with "I like ( OO )". Writing their answers in Japanese is OK. When both partners have interviewed each other they must come up to the front and receive the pencil case temple and can begin to draw.
Notes:
-There is a free space at the end on the interview sheet. You can allow the kids to use that space to ask any question. For example: favorite food, sports, animal, character. You can also choose to assign a question yourself if you feel that is easier.
-You can hand both sheets together but I choose to have them show me their interview sheets before handing them the pencil case template to check their work.
-You can probably do everything in one lesson but I split it into two. First day interview. Second day I have them present the pencil case to their partner. Depending on the level of the kids I have them do a short presentation.