I'm just learning about power teaching and want to try it in the fall. For rule three, the gesture is to raise your hand and then show your fingers walking. I'd like to know if anyone has broken this down further to specify the reason for wanting to leave the seat. The ones I'm thinking of are bathroom, drink, tissue, and pencil sharpening or exchange.

I'd like to be able to acknowledge the request and respond with a gesture so that it doesn't interrupot whatever else is going on.

I have seen teachers who use gestures for students as they raise their hands. Students will make a twisting pencil motion to sharpen their pencils, make the ASL sign for restroom, etc. It seems to work well.
I have not really ever taken the time to use it. I am less patient I guess. I will tell students who constantly have their hand up "I'm not taking questions now" or if I tell students to raise their hand for questions about the assignment and they ask to go to the bathroom I make them ask a question about the assignment anyways just to teach them to pick an appropriate time.
I would suggest using the raising hand gestures if you feel it will make your class run smoother. As far as practicing the rule, I would keep the gesture the same because no matter what the reason they are getting up, the rule does not change.

Thanks, Angela!

I love the sign idea that Angela left. One of my great struggles, as Angela noted, is when students raise their hand during instruction you run the gamut of possibilities. I know you were looking for a way to gesture what was needed, but it may be helpful to have students use a different "gesture" for personal needs. If it pertains to the lesson (a direct question, the need for a pencil because they won't be able to work on the concept without one, etc) then a hand raise is fine. If it DOES NOT pertain to the lesson (bathroom, tissue, nurse, etc) then they put their hand on their heart/chest to signal a personal need. At that time you could simply point, place your hand on you heart/chest, or something similar to let them know you've seen them and will get to them when time allows and is appropriate. Then you have to remember to get to them during the appropriate time. That's where I struggle - remembering.