The thesis investigates the problem of educating of senior pupils' social activity by means of project activities in extracurricular activities of general education establishments. Analysis of the current state of theory and educational practice showed the absence of special research of the designated problem. The essence and meaning clarifies the meaning of key concepts of the research "social activity", "senior pupils' social activity", "project activities", "extracurricular activities", "education of social activity by means of project activities". Analysis of the theory and practice has shown that the problem of educating of senior pupils' social activity by means of project activities in extracurricular activities of general education establishments is almost unexplored in modern pedagogical science and requires a better understanding. That the process of education of senior pupils' social activity general education establishments is carried out mainly traditional forms and methods of extracurricular activities, it is not systematic. It is proved that the greatest potential for the development of autonomy, subjectivity and ensure voluntary participation of senior pupils in the educational work is the project activity in extracurricular activities. Educating of senior pupils' social activity by means of project activities is defined as the process of cooperation between teacher and pupil for the purpose of educating of senior pupils' social skills that are manifested in social activities and behaviors that meets the moral norms and the rules that accepted in the society; formation of readiness for social activity that provides the integration of senior pupils into society. Identified and characterized the structure of senior pupils' social activity as an integrative education which is treated through the interrelated and interconnected structural components: cognitive (a set of general educating, social knowledge, shaping the attitudes of senior pupil), value-motivational (reflects the interests, needs, motives of social activities of senior pupils), active-communicative (activity in socially useful activities, focus on social interaction), reflexive-analytical (ability to analyze, assess its actions and deeds). Developed and experimentally tested methods of educating of senior pupils' social activity by means of project activities, based on general and specific principles of education (the voluntary nature of participation of senior pupils in project activities, social orientation of this work, development of initiative and independence, taking into account age and individual characteristics of senior pupils) in extracurricular activities consists of the appropriate forms (analysis and discussion of social processes and problems, thematic talks, meetings, themed tours, conferences, excursions, the study of archival documents, and journalistic materials, the holidays, etc.), methods (conversation, report, discussion, conviction, assignment, creation of educational situations, praise, self-assessment, self-control, self-analysis, etc.) and instructional techniques enhance the social activity of senior pupils, such as: development of problem situations, contests, involving for fundraisers, organizing working landings, visiting nursing homes and children's homes and others. The effectiveness of the process of raising social activity of senior pupils by means of project activities is also affected by the combination of different forms and methods of education at different stages of project work in extracurricular activities. The method takes into account the specifics of project activity of senior pupils in extracurricular activities carried out in several stages: preliminary preparation, planning project activities, joint preparation, project implementation and final phase. The essence of the method lies in the construction of educational content and didactic bases of its practical application, built on: integration of the socially-oriented information, ensures senior pupils of mastership of the content of social norms, roles, relations, which more adequately reflected the idea of social activity of senior pupils, which helps them build a holistic view of social problems and the effective formation of a conscious and creative attitude to solving social problems; independent and creative solving of different information sources, conduct systematic analysis, and formulation by senior pupils under the guidance or partial advice or their own ideas, goals and objectives of the project; support for senior pupils own objectives of the social project and self-assessment as own activities as well as activities of all participants of the social project. Theoretically substantiated and experimentally proved the effectiveness of pedagogical conditions of realization of methods of education of senior pupils' social activity by means of project activity in extracurricular activities: the formation of motivational orientation of senior pupils' social activity during the project activity on the basis of the value attitude to the world and oneself; the establishment of an effective subject-subject relations in the process of raising of senior pupils' social activity by means of project activities in extracurricular activities; attracting senior pupils to various areas of socially useful activity in the process project activity in order to build formation of social experience of behavior and communication, preparation to perform major social roles; theoretical-methodological and organizational preparation of teachers to the raising of social activity of senior pupils by means of education of senior pupils' social activity by means of project activity in extracurricular activities.
