I’m in grade 1 of the app. I’ve learned cords and strumming separately. When I do the practice songs I only play the cords and I don’t strum. Should I be strumming?
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you should be strumming and trying to get your mind to make the chord changes accurately and in time. This will take a little practice initially for most folks. Slow it down if you need time to think through your hand movements, and speed it up when you are mostly getting good timing and chords ringing out.
The goal here is that after a bit of time, you should be able to play along with songs in the app. Be aware that these are simplified, so do not be disheartened by it sounding very simple. It is, and it is so you can get comfortable with basics before challenging yourself with more complex playing.
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Devon @dev1987
Welcome to the community.
The answer to your question is yes, even if it is only one strum per bar, you can progress onto four strums per bar, you might be surprised how quickly you move onto this. Look at Grade 1 songs on the web site as Justin often explains the strumming for where you are on the journey.
Michael
Hello Devon and welcome to JustinGuitar and the Community.
Justin often talks about the various levels at which you can play along with the App.
The most basic is to play each chord once only - on the count of 1 - for each bar.
Is that what you are doing?
If yes, that is regarded as strumming.
You are strumming once per bar.
You should still aim to move your strumming hand down and up four times per bar.
Next would be strumming two times per bar on the counts of 1 and 3.
Still moving your hand down and up four times per bar.
And so on.
Good luck.
How do you play a chord without strumming? 
Depends on your definition of strumming. The question was: is it enough to strum once per bar (I.e., play the chords) or are you supposed to do something more (strumming)?