I would like to act like this was my idea, but my students were doing this on their own. May be a past teacher taught them and it stuck, but they have been making gestures at me for using the pencil sharpener, going to the trash can, and even using the restroom. Students will use their hands in a "twisty" motion to show they need to sharpen their pencil. Another student held up some trash and did a little throwing motion to get up and go to the trash can. Also, another kid used ASL for restroom. This could make a big difference in the middle of class when you see hands go up and you think they have a relevant question. You call on them only to hear "can I throw this away?" and they have a tiny piece of paper or a broken pencil. I think I am going to steal these ideas and teach them to all my students in order to differentiate small tasks from important questions.
Does anybody already do this?

I always use the bathroom signal, never the trash or pencil... but I think they are great ideas!

I also use a gesture for standing up if we are the carpet learning. I put up pointer finger and middle man on my right hand (also known as the number 2 or peace sign:laugh: ) and put the tips of those fingers onto the palm of my other hand. This may or may not be ASL...but I teach my students the words (Stand up) and gesture, so if we are at an assembly or another quiet area, I can get their attention quickly and have them walk over to me, without disrupting others.

Happy gesturing!

Yes, see my comment on the Bathroom Procedures in secondary.