No worries. I was hoping it was just the port.
Using the LED matrix is a bit of a jump in complexity - for both the wiring and the programming. Whether this will be a bit much for you at this point in your learning is something I cannot judge. You may struggle with it a bit or you may take to it like a duck to water. This is just a heads up. Either way, I am confident you will "get it".
I found this tutorial which seems to cover the basics pretty well - and asks the same question as you have found:
This is the second video which goes through a couple of ways you could drive the LED matrix - and then focuses on the one that makes the most sense. Note that the preferred solution will require the use of the 74HC595 ICs, the breadboard, some resistors and the hook up wires that came with your kit.
Edit: All this is probably covered in your tutorial material, but I thought I'd offer some alternative material in case that might be useful in your understanding.