Chords or Notes?

Would chords be better to learn first or would notes be better? I think that it would be better to at least learn the basics of the notes at least  learn most of them and then I think you could go onto chords. My teacher says it is a good thing to learn chords. Chords can be helpful when you are doing songs like folk, rock and other things  like that. I have now learned almost a quarter of the notes on a guitar so, my teacher and I have been working on some chords because he thinks that it is time to learn them. Classical guitar players use chords as well. We sometimes have to bar chords. Chords can help make the song you are playing even more pretty sounding. Notes are the most important thing to begin the piece I think. Chords are used more to harmonize with a person who sings along with the chord playing. I think that it is better when playing  chords to have somebody singing with you. The chords do not sound right by them selves, but with singing they are one in a way. Notes can be on their own or with singing. I believe my teacher is right to say start with the notes and then work on chords.